At approximately 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, the Crawfordsville Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at the Historic Whitlock Apartments, located at 308 Dubois Ave. While units were responding, the incident was upgraded to a reported structure fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters found no visible smoke or flames from the exterior of the building and were directed to a first-floor apartment. Inside, crews encountered heavy smoke conditions and discovered a small fire that had already been contained and extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system.
Firefighters conducted a primary search of the apartment and confirmed the resident had safely evacuated prior to their arrival. Crews then completed overhaul and ventilation operations.
No injuries were reported.
The fire is believed to be unintentional, and the exact cause remains under investigation.
Several residents from adjacent apartments and the lower level of the building were displaced due to water damage caused by the sprinkler system. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist displaced residents with temporary accommodations.
Additional agencies assisting at the scene included Montgomery County Central Communications, the Crawfordsville Police Department, Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power, Indiana American Water, CenterPoint Energy, and Historic Whitlock Apartments management and maintenance staff.
Fire crews remained on scene until approximately 2:30 a.m., assisting displaced residents with retrieving essential belongings and coordinating temporary housing.
The Crawfordsville Fire Department reminds residents that properly maintained automatic sprinkler systems play a critical role in controlling fires, protecting lives, and minimizing property damage.
