Indianapolis Woman Dies in Apartment Fire
Indianapolis officials are investigating an accidental fire that resulted in the death of 94-year-old, Willa Mae Fossett.
Firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from a third floor window at the Indiana Avenue Senior Apartments this Sunday morning. When they arrived just after 4:30 a.m., they found a small fire in the bathroom. They quickly extinguished the fire. Unfortunately, they also discovered Ms. Fossett unconscious in the bedroom. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Initial reports indicate that something in Ms. Fossett’s bed caught fire. She attempted to take this item to the bathroom in an effort to extinguish the flames.
A question remains as to whether smoke alarms were in place. Indiana Code IC 22-11-18-3.5 clearly outlines the requirements for smoke detector placement in Indiana apartments. The simple device can drastically reduce the risk of death. The ongoing investigation will provide answers as to whether the devices were in place and functioning properly.
