Early morning fire destroys a South Bend apartment building Save Email Print
South Bend, IN
Posted: 6:12 AM Aug 21, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:20 AM Aug 21, 2008
22 comments
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A fire gutted a small apartment building in South Bend around 4:00 a.m. forcing at least four people to evacuate.

It happened near the intersection of Huron and Meade which is just off Western on the city's west side.

Firefighters found flames and heavy smoke spewing from the building when they arrived and all residents escaped safely uninjured.

The blaze badly damaged the apartment building and a connecting business and firefighters don't know a cause at this time.
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Posted by: O on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Look at what is burning down. Its like a hodge podge of buildings.
Posted by: SBFD Location: SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:59 PM
FOR CHRISTS SAKES PEOPLE! WAKE UP! there havnt been any unusual amount of fires! Do you people even know how many fires we fight a year? 20? 30? 40? Try over 200. The media is just picking more up on our fires. Maybe because of layoffs? Maybe because of the budget crises? Who knows? I dont and i dont really care. All i do care is that you people think before you speak.
Posted by: former catastrophe claim rep Location: sb on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:18 PM
md- having worked in claims for the largest ins. co I can tell you stories of people that burned their houses down. I can tell you about the people I paid for hail claims that took the money and went to Hawaii. I left the claims environment because I was sick of seeing people cheating the insurance companies and then turning around and complaining about them before/during/after getting paid. I can tell you from many months of training I wished they allowed news teams in to see the truth.. that they did actually want to pay for everything and i was told on no uncertain terms it was my job to "find a way to pay". Now I expect a few people to comment back to this unfavorably, so before you do, try working in claims yourself and I promise you'll see who's cheating who.
Posted by: kevin Location: Bremen on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:11 PM
whats up with all these apartment fires i mean i never live in an apartment that has had a fire apartments need more inspected before they are rent out to people that need a place to live i mean there alot of land lords that dont care about there apartments at all
Posted by: To DS at 12:50 Location: SB on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:01 PM
They couldn't speak it and you can't spell. LOL
Posted by: MD on Aug 21, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Dan, if you had ever had a fire, you would know that insurance doe snot pay for all that you lose and is not worth it.
Posted by: west side Location: sb on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
i wish the entire street of Lincolnway West would burn down!!!!!
Posted by: didntgetkissedfirst Location: intherear on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:30 PM
No, no, no .. you have it all wrong. Fire can be your friend. Are you a little behind on your mortgage for your rental building? Damn, just have a fire sale and the isurance company covers the monthly rental. All you need is a signed rental agreement. Gee, how hard would it be to make that up. So, until the building is rebuilt, somone else is covering the costs and in the end, you have a nearly new unit that everyone would love to rent from you. You just went from a slumlord to a legitimate landlord with the strike of a match and some accelerant. Blame it on that good-for-nothing neighborhood kid or better yet, add some gang signs and blame the arson on them. Fire can be your friend.
Posted by: Dan Location: So Bend on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Burning stuff for insurance $$?
Posted by: sbfd on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:06 PM
There really hasn't been any more fires than "Normal". They are just getting more media coverage. We get fires quite often and never see any media there. Just lately they have been showing up to more of our fires. Believe me, if gang violence picked up and there were more shootings then they would be following that. Some reporters will even say it's "a slow news day". I almost wish the Snyders were back in the Roseland Town council, it would take some heat off of us. Remember, the 3 main causes of fire are Men, Women and Children.
Posted by: DS Location: South Bend on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM
the police scanner revealed that none of the occupents spoke English.
Posted by: anon Location: South Bend on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Come on we all know that this apartment was crammed past capacity with illegal aliens.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: South Bend, IN on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I agree with "Mom" What is up with all of the fires lately?
Posted by: Burt Location: Southern Indiana on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
This is one way to run the rats out of town.
Posted by: To The Firebug Location: St. Joseph County on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Could you please do us all a favor and focus more on empty houses instead of houses and apartments with residents. Thank You.
Posted by: Bridget Location: Mishawaka on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Yes there have been a number of fires lately. I work at a local mom & pop restaurant & someone tried to start a fire while the owner was there getting ready for that day. Luckily he was there or it may have burnt down. There's a arsonist out there that needs to be caught!
Posted by: sbi Location: sbi on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:41 AM
just more publicity on fires thats all
Posted by: a mom Location: south bend on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I agree that there have been an unusual amount of fires, mainly in the apartment buildings. I don't know if they are the work of a "fire bug" or most likely careless people. One of the fires was caused by someone leaving a charcoal grill unattended long enough to engulf the whole building! People need to be more careful of what they are doing and act responsibly!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I agree with Linda. I posted something before, but a firefighter thought I was talking about one of them and I wasn't. I am sure they are looking into it.
Posted by: todd Location: sb on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:06 AM
is it me or are we having fires all the time now?
Posted by: Linda Location: Granger on Aug 21, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Am I the only person who thinks there have been an unusual number of fires in the last couple of months? Seems very strange. I still say the police should be looking for a fire bug! I don't mean a four legged one either. Wake up people and pay attention to what's going on in your neighborhoods. Carry your cell phones and be ready to dial 911 when you see something that just isn't right.
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