UPDATE: 2 firefighters injured in grocery store fireby Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)
A firefighter is assisted seconds after a wall collapsed and fell on him at Lincolnway Foods on Lincoln Way in South Bend on Friday, August 8, 2008. (WSBT photo) SOUTH BEND — Two firefighters were injured in a fire that started just after 7 a.m. Friday at Lincolnway Foods in the 700 block of Lincoln Way West in South Bend. Clouds of thick, black smoke filled the air during morning rush hour. “It’s unbelievable,” said witness Ardedia Lacy. Witnesses say it was chaotic. “I was coming from New Carlisle about a quarter after seven and I drove by and I saw smoke coming out every crack in the whole building,” said witness Chad Hayes. “And all I could think to do was call 911.” “I was up there working on the roof and I noticed that there was smoke shooting from the building there,” said David Bevins. “So I ran over to the fire station and told them they had a fire a block away.” When firefighters arrived they tried battling the flames on the inside. But it was too much to handle. “So the firefighters deemed it to be unsafe,” said Chief Howard Buchanon. “So everybody got out and then we went into defensive mode.” Shortly after firefighters got out the roof caved in and the walls collapsed, injuring firefighters Jared Perish and Kevin Kurtz. They were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. If they had waited much longer to get out, the situation could have been much worse. “We could have lost firefighters had we still been inside at that time,” said Chief Buchanon. “That’s just what you have to look at — the safety of everybody — and the defensive part paid off.” Neighbors watched in horror as the building crumbled. And the family who runs the store cried out in disbelief. “You see the look on their face,” said Hayes. “I mean it’s upsetting to yourself. It’s something you wished would never happen to you.” And for Ardedia Lacy, seeing the family is especially heartbreaking. Fire investigators were on the scene all day. Lincoln Way opened around 4:15 p.m. after being closed for almost nine hours. Investigators said it could take days to determine the cause of the fire. Saturday, Aug 16 at 10:50 PM Pops Farhan wrote ...I want to thank the South Bend Fire Dept Police Dept for their help in everything. I also want to thank Joe Donnelly for his support for me and my family.I hope we can rebuild and open back up in the same spot for the community and to serve the community.I thank everyone who has helped and supported us in this cause. I thank god that no one got hurt in this fire and everyone in my family and my customers are fine.I prayed for the injured Fire fighters to get well soon and go back to there family Saturday, Aug 16 at 10:30 PM Farhan Family wrote ...We thank the South Bend Police Department, Fire Department and the Congressman Joe Donnelly for their help and support. We thank everyone else who helped in the Lincoln way food fire. Thanks again.. Wednesday, Aug 13 at 9:23 AM ff wrote ...In response to Thriller’s Aug 9 posting. There have been studies done on staffing and how many fire stations the city needs. Depending on what study you believe South Bend should have one or two more fire stations, each with an engine company. One study showed a need for one more ladder company. If the South Bend Fire Department can safely operate and properly protect the community with 53 fewer firefighters (plus the five we are already short) then people should be the public should demand Monday, Aug 11 at 3:53 PM Barbarossa wrote ...Responding to Thriller's question: the injured firefighter was NOT on his way to the wrong ambulance. The medic was trying to avoid carrying the cot over a bunch of hose and obstacles in the road. What you see in the video is the Asst Chief of EMS behaving in an extremely unprofessional manner. Listen closely and you can hear his profanity. Good job, Chief! Way to support your troops! But, those of us that know him aren't suprised by his lack of leadership or character. Monday, Aug 11 at 2:12 PM roy wrote ...wow! all I said was this is not a case for more firemen. no one should have been in there to begin with. If more firemen used their heads a lot less would get hurt. Monday, Aug 11 at 2:46 AM THEN RESPECT IT wrote ...ROY, WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER AND EMT-B SO WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT? YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT ALL GOES ON, QUIT TRYING TO ACT MACHO AND DO YOUR JOB. Sunday, Aug 10 at 9:43 PM roy wrote ...I am a firefighter and an EMT-B. So you really shouldn't assume things. Sunday, Aug 10 at 11:52 AM Joan wrote ...Firefighters and police lay their lives on the line for us. Our compassionate mayor is willing to sacrifice 5% of his salary to help out. What a guy! Sunday, Aug 10 at 7:44 AM Anonym. wrote ...I think its best that everyone just supports the firefighters and stop talking about things that really don't matter in the scheme of things. What matters is that they did what they could, and the two fireman will recover. No one truly knows exactly how to do their job like they do, so stop talking about things you don't know about. Its disgusting that people argue about these things. Some day you might need these brave men, and when you do, you won't be bashing them like some people are now. Sunday, Aug 10 at 2:32 AM AGREE WITH FIREFIGHTER wrote ...THRILLER-I AGREE WITH WHAT FIREFIGHTER SAID, I AM ALSO A FIREFIGHTER WHO VOLUNTEERS MY TIME TO HELP OTHERS NOT SIT ON THE COMPUTER AND COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY IS SPENT ON THEM. YOU WILL NEED US SOMEDAY. DOES YOUR LOCAL DEPARTMENT TAKE VOLUNTEERS? TRY IT AND THEN WE'LL TALK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS ALL INVOLVED! Sunday, Aug 10 at 12:39 AM firefighter wrote ...This is in response to thriller's response and stupid comments. Obviously you have never clue what firefighters do. Our jobs are not only to put out fires, but we have to inspect bussinesses, responde to medical calls, test and maintain equipment, which a majority of the time is out of date and to exspensive to replace because people like you are to cheap to come of a little extra tax money to help us maintain it. So when you get a real clue as to what we really do as firefighters, clam up!!!! Saturday, Aug 9 at 9:25 PM Hairy wrote ...Gary said it all. They want to make budget cuts and shorten up on fire fighters. These guys are the bravest of them all and the cities and towns need them, all they can get. The men who had the wall fall on them, are lucky and am praying for their recovery. Even worse, is wanting to cut all crossing gaurds for kids. Did somebody lose their mind or what? Saturday, Aug 9 at 9:10 PM Jackie S wrote ...Great coverage of this fire; we can truly see how hard our firefighters work protecting our community. Off duty firefighters also came and helped their brothers battle this fire. We need to guard our safety by maintaining the number of police and firefighters that are currently protecting us. The mayor and city officals need to see this video! Saturday, Aug 9 at 7:15 PM sheryl wrote ...arson Saturday, Aug 9 at 5:10 PM powder wrote ...When your local fire department has an open house to meet the crew that protects your neighborhood, go out and meet them. I have been to several and I watch the crew get excited to meet with the neighbors. Then when hardly anyone shows up it saddens them. Support our local fire crews, if you donate money it goes for a very good cause. Like getting equipment to save lives. I know the personal gear they wear is expensive and they purchase most of it from their own pockets. Saturday, Aug 9 at 4:13 PM thriller wrote ...Why was a firefighter standing next to the wall? Why did they start to take him to the wrong ambulance? Do any of the scholarly commenters here have an exact idea of how large the fire and police force needs to be per area around here? Or done a study one what cuts could be afforded while not cutting others, etc. etc.? Or actually know what they're talking about? Why do slack jawed yokels make the most noise? Saturday, Aug 9 at 12:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...Too bad about the store.I had my first job there stocking shelves in 1984 while in high school. Saturday, Aug 9 at 11:50 AM ANON wrote ...11:26 PM truth wrote ... btw just so everyone knows one of the fireman suffered a skull fracture. Pretty pathetic how the media down played the injury actually no he didnt.. he just had a small cut to his forhead.. maybe your the idiot.. he had no severe problems he went home within hours dont talk unless you know the facts jerk Saturday, Aug 9 at 10:17 AM Anonymous wrote ...It's sad but the Arab's on Lincolnway are only selling fake Nikes, crack pipes and wraps for weed. How is it that I can go into a gas station and come out with a digital scale to weight drugs. Small bags to package the drugs and a pipe to smoke the drugs from a gas station a gas station. What happen to penny candy? Saturday, Aug 9 at 9:24 AM Henry - South Bend wrote ...Roy, My thoughts, concerns and prayers are with You! I hope You consult a Pastor or social worker, I am sure they can help you! Saturday, Aug 9 at 9:07 AM David F. wrote ...My prayers are with the Firefighters, God Bless them all, I also want to send my thanks to all SBPD, SBFD, South Bend Street Dept. for the hard job they did, and i also want to thank Mr. Donnelly fo comming over, i also want to thank all the customer that shopped with us for years, the store was lots of help to all people. it was a sad loss for all of us. i would like to ask every one to be extra carful, and watch ur kids and keep the fire away from us. Thanks Again. David F. Store Manger. Saturday, Aug 9 at 8:25 AM Roy Needs a life wrote ...Roy: I send my FF husband off to work every other 24 hrs to protect PEOPLE LIKE YOU. So when the Mayor comes thru with his cut backs and your HOUSE GOES UP and there is NO ONE THERE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, DO NOT CALL A FOUL ON THAT. Roy, you walk a day in a FF shoes or the spouse of a FF, THEN AND ONLY THEN MAY YOU SPEAK OF WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW. TILL THEN PUT ON YOUR BIG BOY PANTS AND GROW UP. Thanks to all SBFD and don't let these ignorant people on here get to you boys. Saturday, Aug 9 at 2:21 AM HEY ROY wrote ...IF YOU HAD A HEART LIKE THE FIREFIGHTERS AND YOU CARED ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY TO RISK YOUR LIFE FOR ANYONE IN NEED MAYBE YOU WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY. THERE IS MORE TO THIS WORLD THAN YOU ROY! Saturday, Aug 9 at 12:44 AM alena wrote ...HOW MANY TIMES HAS MEDIA GOTTEN (important)things very messed up ? M-A-N-Y TIMES ! Are you reading this so. bend tribune? we count on you for proper news. Better days ahead !! Saturday, Aug 9 at 12:23 AM marie wrote ...Hey AL and JIM , be careful, along with all the other firemen out there. your the best along with all the rest !!! stay cool Friday, Aug 8 at 10:26 PM truth wrote ...btw just so everyone knows one of the fireman suffered a skull fracture. Pretty pathetic how the media down played the injury Friday, Aug 8 at 10:07 PM marie and family and friends wrote ...p l e a s e keep the police and fireman !!! WE ALL NEVER KNOW WHEN ONE OF YOURS OR MY FAMILY WILL NEED THEM...TRY,TO IMAGINE!!IVE BEEN THERE...!!!they were there for us immediately !!! memorial weekend 1988 ... Friday, Aug 8 at 7:47 PM hey sb wrote ...Good job! sbfd. thank you for the job you guys do for the community, and for risking your lifes for our safety! Friday, Aug 8 at 7:13 PM Kathy wrote ...As I drove thru the smoke on my way to work this morning I thought to myself I hope everyone was ok, and the police and the fire fighters. It seemed as if all I heard were sirens. There must have been alot going on at 8 am. This would be a good example of why we don't need to cut fire and police departments. Just as in Mishawaka, there was a huge fire!! During any emergency, there are many more emergencies going on at the same time! No cutbacks. If we need help, we need it now! Friday, Aug 8 at 7:08 PM WOWSERS wrote ...Im away on business I have been keeping up on the news I do say I have to agree with 4:15(Oh Yea) I think this is one of the best things that could of happened to this town.I feel for the firefighters and the family that owned the store be we all know that place was just a wee bit scary. I know for one I was in there only a few times and I was afraid to purchase anything.I dont know how a place like that lasted so long.Oh wait its South Bend No one cares anyway I like our town despite problems Friday, Aug 8 at 6:54 PM No name wrote ...I was able to see the smoke miles away and the flames as I got closer. Hope firefighters are doing well. WE CANNOT LAY ANY OFF. Today proved mulitple fires can happen. Friday, Aug 8 at 6:23 PM Misty wrote ...It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some people that comment on here are! I was there this morningand, from a block away, I watched several of our heroic firefighters and police officers go about their job protecting us. All of these HEROS are under paid, considering what they do to protect us. Which brings up a good question. Since South Bend is the 4th largest city in Indiana, why aren't the saleries of these HEROS in line with that figure? And our mayor is the highest paid in IN.???? Friday, Aug 8 at 6:08 PM Tara wrote ...This video is darn near heart breakign yet so heroic in the same instance!! I hope those Firefighters will be okay. the way he dropped and was dragged by his fellow brothers, just really hits you hard. My heart goes to the ones that are there to save us. AS for the store, makes you wonder if the owners did it for the insurance money?? well at least there won't any trouble hanging around the store anymore. To the council members, LOOK AT THE VIDEO! Wanna cut costs now? Friday, Aug 8 at 6:08 PM Chris wrote ...Roy they were just doing their jobs by preventing further damage to the building by going inside. To everyone else, don't wish Roy's house to burn down your just lowering yourselves to his level. My prayers go out to fireman for doing their job. Friday, Aug 8 at 5:44 PM mish res firefighter wrote ...roy i hope your house does burn down with you in it bc all you do is leave negative comments! Friday, Aug 8 at 5:10 PM Bethany wrote ...That picture just knocks the breath out of me. So very glad everyone is all right. Friday, Aug 8 at 5:03 PM FireStorm wrote ...Now that's a hard day of work! Thank you FF! Friday, Aug 8 at 4:34 PM Islander wrote ...You're a moron, Roy. Friday, Aug 8 at 4:25 PM Henry wrote ...Thank you, WSBT, for giving such intelligent voices a venue for their helpful and insightful opinions. Friday, Aug 8 at 3:53 PM fire hump wrote ...way to go saftey officer have you heard of risk vs benifit? Friday, Aug 8 at 3:46 PM roy wrote ...It's not negative, it's realistic. Friday, Aug 8 at 3:40 PM Joe wrote ...Roy you are very wrong in your idea of how FF's operate.Every structure fire must be considered occupied by FF's until they can prove it's unoccupied.This is true for residential and commercial fires.For example,If it was your house on fire,how can you be sure a Good Samaritan neighbor didn't try to help your family members escape with out your knowledge? Maybe the SBPD entered through the back door.HMMM. Friday, Aug 8 at 3:15 PM Oh Yea wrote ...Look on the bright side, at least now the police will get a break from being called there all the time for fights, drugs, drunks and all that goes on there. Now maybe the neighborhood might get a little safer. Friday, Aug 8 at 2:53 PM Anonymous wrote ...My prayers are with the Firefighters, God Bless them all. But as for the Store... Now the people on food stamps will not be able to go in there and cash out there cards for money. For this I am not sorry. Friday, Aug 8 at 2:47 PM Hey Roy wrote ...You are one of those people that is negative about everything, aren't you? If they didn't go in and try to save the structure, you would say they weren't doing their jobs. I certainly hope it never happens to you, but if it does, you will be thankful that they work as hard as they do. Friday, Aug 8 at 2:44 PM Mom of a Firefighter wrote ...So happy those firefighters will be alright. My heart skips a beat when I see news like this. Friday, Aug 8 at 1:28 PM anonymous wrote ...God bless the firefighters. Friday, Aug 8 at 12:57 PM roy wrote ...More figherfighters!??! I say less. Why do they need to go in there any way? Just stay outside and keep it from burning my house down! Couldn't get any safer or cheaper. Win-Win. Friday, Aug 8 at 12:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...PLEASE keep in prayer the owner and his family.. this is such a huge loss for them! Friday, Aug 8 at 12:39 PM Jug Head wrote ...Prayers go out to the FIREFIGHTERS that was a pretty bad fire I was there and it was really HOT... But most of all I fill bad for the INSURANCE COMPANY that has to repay,And the Owners they can re build BIGGER and BETTER as PLANNED Friday, Aug 8 at 12:15 PM Hope wrote ...Prayers to all involved. Excuse me mayor - may I look out your rosie colored windows now? I'm sure you didn't see the smoke and all the hard work these guys did from your window. Friday, Aug 8 at 11:18 AM tiffany wrote ...some kids coulda burned that down that is crazy though Friday, Aug 8 at 11:05 AM Anonymous wrote ...I saw the smoke this morning while going to work at IU South Bend. You could see it all the way from the westend of Mishawaka along the avenue. Hope the firefighters are okay. Friday, Aug 8 at 11:01 AM Firefighter's Wife wrote ...My thoughts and prayers are with those injured and hopes that they recover soon. Friday, Aug 8 at 10:40 AM susan wrote ...i think you better think twice before you lay off any police and fighter. they are here to help us mayor .please dont lay them off we need them. if you do lay them off it will be a big misteak for the city of south bend. Friday, Aug 8 at 10:21 AM Anonymous wrote ...Marcie, what are you rambling on about? They don't even know how the fire started. Kids? What? Lay off the hysterics until the cause is known. Friday, Aug 8 at 10:18 AM melissa wrote ...I was on portgage and cleveland road and you could see the smoke in the sky, wow i hope the firefighters make a quick recovery. Friday, Aug 8 at 9:58 AM Marcie Mellow wrote ...People have to be careful this hot and boling days with fire. The heat and the fire is very lethal to all people. Please do not go out burining tires or getting the hot oil on the floor. This can trigger fires. Do not play with matches either. Kid should be warned very early not to play with matches. Sorry to hear about the firefighters. they are my heroes. They do such a dangerous job and smell the toxic fumes and the smoke. It is commendable the job they do. Friday, Aug 8 at 9:23 AM Me wrote ...Who were the fire fighters??? Friday, Aug 8 at 9:14 AM gary wrote ...AND THE CITY WANTS TO LAYOFF OUR BRAVE FIGHTERS??? MAYBE THEY SHOULD THINK TWICE Friday, Aug 8 at 9:07 AM Anonymous wrote ...I saw the smoke this morning while going to work at IU South Bend. You could see it all the way from the westend of Mishawaka along the avenue. Hope the firefighters are okay. Friday, Aug 8 at 8:42 AM amy wrote ...this is another sad loss. My thoughts are with the injured firefighter and his or her family. Add a commentMost Popular |
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Saturday, Aug 30 at 8:48 AM Class of 2000 wrote ...
I see alot of comments from speculators. Someone was trying to explain the assumption of building occupation, which is 100% accurate. We will risk our lives to save a life, and risk nothing to save nothing. If we aren't 100% it's vacant, we have to make sure. It's what firefighters get paid to do. Maybe your volunteer dept sits outside, Roy, but that's not the standard in the fire service when lives are at risk. Best wishes, brothers. Hope everyone's OK.