Roachdale man critically injured in house fire

Crews from several fire departments and multiple emergency medical services responded to a house fire Friday afternoon in Roachdale in which a man was critically injured. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

ROACHDALE -- A man was severely injured Friday afternoon after being badly shocked while attempting to install a two-story antenna at his home, located at 9 N. Main St. in Roachdale.

The large-scale antenna evidently came into contact with power lines during installation, shocking the man and catching the upper portions of the home on fire in the process.

He was taken to Hendricks Regional Hospital in Danville before being airlifted to St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.

He was described as being in critical condition when he was taken from the scene.

The north side of the Roachdale home, located at 9 N. Main St., saw the bulk of the damage from flames Friday after a man attempting to install a TV antenna evidently came into contact with nearby power lines. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

"It appears he was either putting up or taking down a TV antenna and got into the power lines," Roachdale Fire Chief Mike Poole said on the scene. "There was smoke showing outside but there were flames inside."

Fire departments from Roachdale, Walnut Creek Township and Russellville responded to the 3:13 p.m. dispatch to combat the flames, which were largely contained inside the home's attic.

Police from Roachdale and the Putnam County Sheriff's Department were also present, as well as ambulance services from PMH and Operation Life.

Generators were used to provide electricity to high-powered fans in efforts to clear smoke ahead of firefighters from the home, which largely saw damage to its north side.

Roachdale firefighter and EMT Cole Dean was the first on the scene Friday, saying he and his father, Roachdale Lt. Terry Dean, attempted to perform CPR on the victim whose name was not released.

Once emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene, Dean said he and his father were relieved and the pair moved to combat the flames.

Space was minimal, Dean said.

"We had to take off our (respirator) packs to get into the attic," Dean explained. "But we got them back on once we got up there.

"There was only a little smoke but it was really hot," Dean continued. "We had to climb over trusses and 2X4s to reach the north side of the attic."

Flames continued to sprout from hotspots around the facia of the home as crews continued to search for flames. Duke Energy shortly arrived on scene and cut the electricity to the home, preventing a larger fire in the process.

Crews continued to observe and search for hotspots throughout the afternoon.

Check back for more information as it is made available.