Indianapolis, Indiana – A candle left burning sparked an apartment fire Friday on West St. Clair Street, injuring one resident and damaging multiple units.
According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, crews were dispatched around 1:54 p.m. to the St. Clair Apartments at 37 W. St. Clair St. after multiple 911 callers reported heavy fire and thick black smoke coming from the building.
Fire officials said a 52-year-old man had been asleep inside his apartment with a candle burning on the floor near a loveseat. He woke to find the room heavily involved in flames and exited through the burning unit, down the stairwell and out onto St. Clair Street.
Firefighters immediately provided advanced life support care before the man was transported by IEMS Medic 29 to Eskenazi Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition, according to officials.
Two additional residents were affected during the incident. A 30-year-old man in the apartment below evacuated and was taken to Eskenazi Hospital for evaluation with minor injuries. A third occupant, an adult female, escaped by jumping from a third-floor window onto a rear landing, avoiding injury before firefighters brought her down safely using a ground ladder.
IFD reported that crews launched an aggressive interior attack and brought the fire under control within about 15 minutes of arrival.
Investigators said seven apartment units were impacted — three with heavy fire damage, three with smoke damage, and one with water damage. Officials said it remains unclear how many residents have been displaced and whether working smoke alarms were present.
The IFD Victims Assistance team is working with apartment management to help affected residents find temporary shelter.
The fire occurred near downtown residential areas and could impact nearby residents, students, and workers commuting through the central Indianapolis corridor.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook and support local independent news.
Have a tip? Message us.
