On April 6, 2023, at approximately 2:13 a.m., deputies responded to the 1100 block of Dacia St for a
report of a possible disturbance. The caller advised that her husband had possibly lit his chair on fire but
it was already burnt out.
While deputies were in route, they received updated information that the chair was on fire again and
the male was still seated in it and unable to get out of it. The caller stated she was unable to get him out
of it.
Lt. Dougan arrived on scene with Deputy Billy Bryant and Sgt. Andrew Densford where they made
contact with the victim’s wife at the garage and when she opened the door, smoke was visible in the
house.
Deputies entered the residence where they located the victim sitting in the chair where they could see
flames coming out from the bottom and sides of it. Lt. Dougan deployed his fire extinguisher into the
back of the chair and worked his way around to the front of the chair. The victim was incoherent and
unable to get up.
Deputies were able to pull the victim from the chair and get him outside to fresh air where they
wrapped a sheet under him to lift him away from the house into the grass. Sgt. Densford covered him
with a blanket while German Township Fire Department and CRH EMS arrived and took over medical
care. Edinburgh Fire responded and assisted with venting the residence.
The victim suffered extensive burns to multiple portions of his body.
Once the victim was safely away from the house, Lt. Dougan went back inside and used what was left of
his extinguisher to ensure the chair wasn’t going to re-ignite. Deputies then cleared the house to
confirm no one else was inside.
The victim was treated by EMS on scene and then flown by Lifeline helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital
for further treatment.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, however a lit cigarette may have played a role.
“I believe that the action of these deputies saved the life of this victim,” said Sheriff Chris Lane. “This is
exactly the type of public service I expect from my deputies.” “I hope and pray for a full recovery of the
victim.”