Updated: Kimball International building damaged by fire after minivan strikes trailer
Update:
Jasper Police determined the individual found at Sternberg’s 24 and More was involved in the crash that led to the fire on Friday.
However, police did not release any further information about the individual’s identity due to their protected status. Nor did they confirm whether the individual would face any criminal charges.
The officer who responded to the incident also stated that, due to the lack of cameras in the area of the crash, they were unsure how it occurred.
Original story below.
Firefighters responding to a call about a burning vehicle at the Kimball International warehouse on HRJ Lane found a larger fire in progress.
According to Jasper Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang, crews arrived to find a minivan, a Kimball International trailer and the building’s bay doors on fire.
“Flames were above the building,” he said.
The trailer parked in front of a bay door was filled with cardboard bundles for recycling, and the fire had spread from it to the building exterior. Subsequently, smoke filled the interior, forcing the few employees in the building to evacuate.
Jasper responded with 26 firefighters, a ladder truck and four engines. They also requested that the Huntingburg Volunteer Fire Department respond with its ladder truck.
“We felt early on that this building could get away from us, so we called them for assistance,” Hochgesang said.
Fortunately, they were not needed.
After extinguishing the fire, Kimball personnel and firefighters tore apart the trailer to ensure the cardboard was fully extinguished and didn’t reignite.
The building’s exterior sustained heavy damage in the area of the fire, and the interior sustained smoke damage. The minivan and trailer were deemed total losses.
Hochgesang wasn’t sure whether the minivan was on fire when it struck the trailer, but it appeared the fire began in its passenger-side wheel well.
No one was with the minivan when responders arrived; however, Hochgesang said an ambulance was called to an injured individual at Sternberg’s 24 and More while they were on scene at the fire. Police have not released any details on the individual or whether they were connected to the incident, but confirmed the individual was taken to the hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
The call came in at 4:10 p.m., and firefighters were on scene until about 6:25 p.m.
Kimball employees closed the building after the fire was extinguished and the building was ventilated.
