Jasper fire claims three lives

Jim O’Neal, WITZ AM/FM News Director contributed to this report

Jasper — The Jasper Fire Department is reporting three fatalities in a fire on Third Avenue that occurred Wednesday morning.

Authorities have not released the identities of the two adults and one juvenile who perished in the fire in an upstairs apartment at 413 Third Avenue.

The fire called in at 4:45 a.m. was located across the street and south of the Schnitezlbank. When firefighters arrived, they found the upstairs apartment was on fire but due to the heat and flames, they were unable to enter the apartment.

The occupants living on the first floor were able to vacate the house.

According to Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang, the fire appeared to have originated in the upstairs apartment but they have not been able to confirm where it started.

The fire is out, but members of the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department are still on scene putting out any hot spots that could rekindle.

The State Fire Marshal’s office has been notified and an investigator is at the scene.

Five trucks and 35 firefighters responded to the fire this morning. Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz also came by the scene.

Third Avenue was closed from Church Street to Giesler Road until about 8 a.m. while the department remained on scene.

Jasper Police Department and Dubois County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.