IRVINGTON — On Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11:23 PM, Indianapolis Firefighters were called to Irvington Plaza on a report of a blaze. Crews took 3 hours and 36 minutes to mark under control after heavy fire breaks out in vacant building at 6301 E. Washington St. the former site of the Marsh Grocery Store. IFD firefighters had their work cut out for them arriving to find fire and smoke pushing from 3 sides of the single story structure. Command ordered defensive attack only and within minutes the west side of the building collapsed.
Threats of large rooftop HVAC units falling, 3 foot deep trenches inside and now filled with water, further collapse and high tension power lines, crews transitioned from defensive to offensive several times before finally bringing it under control. As master streams from 3 aerial ladders applied water to the roof area, crews hit hot spots underneath the exterior fallen debris.
The cause is under investigation although neighbors in the area say squatters frequent the building. No injuries were reported.
