(LaPorte, IN) - Four men have been recognized for potentially saving the lives of a LaPorte couple unaware their attached garage was burning.  The fire, which started around 6 p.m. on July 12, completely destroyed the garage and spread into the home at 1411 I St. 

LaPorte Fire Chief, Andy Snyder, said the men noticing smoke from the garage stopped and pounded on the door of the residence.  Snyder said a woman inside the home came to the door and alerted her husband who was working in the backyard.  He said the men at the very least could have prevented someone from being harmed.  “I commend them for stopping and taking action when they could have just went on by,” Snyder said.

Jerry Fulton, Drake Gunn, Wes Cabrera and Tarick Jackson will be recognized during Monday night’s city council meeting for their actions.  “With everything going on in the world it’s nice to see four individuals from our community stepping up and putting their own lives at risk,” said Mayor Tom Dermody.

Snyder said both vehicles inside the garage were destroyed.  He said the home will require considerable repair before the couple is able to move back in.