New Carlisle (Indiana) Assistant Fire Chief Killed in Roof Collapse of Burning Commercial Building


Crews battled a commercial barn fire in New Carlisle, not far from the St. Joseph/LaPorte County line. A WSBT-TV photographer on scene reported hearing explosions coming from the buildings.

Assistant Fire Chief Middlebrook died from injuries sustained when the roof of a burning commercial storage building collapsed on him and another firefighter on Tuesday August 5, 2014. A second firefighter sustained a broken ankle and minor burns. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State of Indiana Fire Marshal’s office.

Two large explosions occurred just before 10:30 pm. There were no fire hydrants at the scene; tenders brought water to the scene. before the fire was finally brought under control Wednesday morning.

Incident Location: 5885 N. 800 E, New Carlisle, IN (near US 20).

Police and Fire Radio Scanners.