(La Porte, IN) - Two police officers in La Porte have been recognized for their efforts in assisting at the scene of a recent house fire.

 

On November 4th, the backside of an apartment house was on fire in the 1400 block of Monroe Street.

 

Among the first emergency responders on the scene was La Porte Police Officer Ryan Allen, who began assisting a woman unable to move after jumping from her upstairs housing unit to escape the smoke and flames. He dragged the woman away from the burning structure, staying with her until the arrival of medics, who transported her to a hospital.

 

La Porte Police Chief Paul Brettin noted that the woman later thanked the officers for their efforts in a social media post. 

 

Allen and Officer Adam Jaskowiac, with firefighters on their way, also reportedly went inside the burning structure to see if anyone was inside and also used a hose to start applying water on the blaze until firefighters finished suiting up.

 

“Corporal Jaskowiac grabbed the hose and started spraying the building with Allen holding on to the hose,” Brettin remarked.

 

La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said an elderly man in a first-floor apartment was helped to safety by firefighters.

 

A man acting as a good Samaritan also went inside the burning structure looking for anyone who might be inside. Unfortunately, the individual allegedly did not stay around long enough for authorities to get his name.

 

Per Brettin, “We’d like to thank him as well."

 

Snyder said the cause of the fire was undetermined, but it was likely an accident or electrical in nature since there were no signs of foul play. 

 

Regarding damage done, Snyder illustrated how the fire was contained primarily in the second-floor porch area. Water and smoke damage was done to one upper-level apartment and the apartment below it. 

 

Two cats perished in the fire, he said.