Overnight Blaze Claims Firefighter’s Life

New CarlisleA volunteer firefighter is dead after battling an overnight blaze in LaPorte County. New Carlisle Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Middlebrook’s body was recovered around 1:30 a.m. Firefighters responded to K-Fex near the intersection of U.S. 20 and 800 East in LaPorte County around 9 p.m., according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. It’s a septic pumping business. Just before 10:30 p.m. two large explosions rocked the building. Firefighting efforts were further hampered by a lack of hydrants in the area, which meant tanker trucks had to bring water to the scene. Middlebrook’s body will be sent to Fort Wayne for an autopsy. At least one other firefighter was injured, according to the TV station. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, minor burns and a broken ankle. His name has not been released.