An 82-year-old woman died in a house fire in southeast Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon.
The Indianapolis Fire Department responded to a 911 call at 4:41 p.m. from a neighbor attempting to hose down the fire at 5240 Chisolm Trail, a one-story home on the city’s far southeast side, according to a news release.
Members of the Indianapolis Fire Department responded to a house fire on the city’s far southeast side Saturday afternoon. The fire at 5240 Chisolm Trail killed an 82-year-old woman who lived alone in the home.
Firefighters arrived at the home six minutes later and by 4:52 p.m., they had located the elderly woman who had lived there for more than 30 years, IFD said. Police have not yet released her name, but family members told IFD the woman lived alone and was checked on daily.
According to IFD, firefighters brought the fire under control within 15 minutes of the 911 call.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The smoke detectors in the home appeared to be effective.
Members of the Indianapolis Fire Department responded to a house fire on the city’s far southeast side Saturday afternoon. The fire at 5240 Chisolm Trail killed an 82-year-old woman who lived alone in the home.
How many people die in home fires in Indiana?
According to the state fire marshal’s office, 84 people died in home fires in Indiana in 2023. Reports of home fires increase during the winter months as people heat their homes more often to avoid winter weather.
Tips to heat your home safely
Officials advise against using alternative heating devices such as space heaters and fireplaces, but offer these tips for using them at home:
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Keep clothing, curtains, furniture and other items away from space heaters within three feet.
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Plug electric space heaters directly into electrical outlets instead of multi-outlet power strips. Make sure only one heater is plugged into an electrical outlet at a time.
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Never go to sleep with a heater on, and never leave one on in a room where no one is present.
Email IndyStar Housing, Growth and Development Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Elderly Indianapolis resident dies in house fire
