By Ab Tonsing
Herald-Times
ELLETSVILLE, Ind. — Firefighters rescued a woman and her dog from a smoke-filled apartment Monday morning at Ellettsville Apartments off South Sale Street.
A woman visiting family at the apartment building spotted the fire near the front door of a unit, called 911 and checked for occupants, according Chris Clouse, assistant fire chief of the Ellettsville Fire Department.
The 67-year-old woman inside couldn’t get out.
So, the visitor ran back to her family’s apartment and returned with a fire extinguisher. “She tried herself which might have slowed the progress of the fire for us,” Clouse said.
Three firefighters entered the smoke-filled apartment and found the woman and her dog in a bathroom. Firefighters carried them out to safety. The woman was transported by ambulance to IU Health Bloomington Hospital where she is being treated for smoke inhalation. “She stayed conscious the entire time,” Clouse said.
The fire spread to the soffits and attic; there was minor damage to three other apartments. The woman’s apartment sustained fire damage to the front living room and heavy smoke damage.
Investigators determined an improperly discarded cigarette was the cause of the accidental fire.
Firefighter Brian Mauder became ill after the rescue and was also transported by ambulance to the hospital. The 30-year veteran of the fire department suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the cardio vascular recovery unit. He is expected to make a full recovery, Clouse said.
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