IFD: Indy man tried to enter burning home to ‘get his gun’ after threatening to shoot firefighters

INDIANAPOLIS — Firefighters had more than a blaze to contend with early Monday morning as an occupant of the burning home is accused of threatening to shoot the crews who were trying to save the engulfed home.

According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched to 2926 Walker Avenue on the city’s near southeast side after a frantic 911 caller reported the back of the home was on fire.

When firefighters arrived on scene at 7 a.m., heavy smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the home.

Firefighters ordered everyone out of the structure and noted “hoarder conditions” inside the home.

In order to attack the growing flames, firefighters broke out windows to gain access for lines and to combat hot spots. But an occupant of the home didn’t take kindly to the firefighters smashing out windows, despite flames roaring from the roof of the residence and threatening to destroy the entire structure.

According to firefighters on scene, a 24-year-old man who was an occupant of the burning home began to harass and threaten the firefighters as they worked to fight the fire. He’s accused of saying he would “get his gun and shoot them all” if they kept breaking windows.

In video supplied by IFD, this same man can be seen picking up a rock and smashing out a side window of the Walker Avenue home. He allegedly claimed to be tryng to re-enter the home — despite heavy flames and smoke — to “get his gun” and make good on his promise.

The 24-year-old was arrested by police officers. Jail records show he is currently being held in Marion County Jail on preliminary misdemeanor charges of obstructing a firefighter.

A second man is also accused of becoming aggressive with incident commanders at the scene of the fire. He was removed from the scene by IMPD but not arrested.

Four total adults were displaced from the Walker Avenue home as a result of the fire, which was marked under control at 7:29 a.m. No working smoke alarms were found within the home.

The fire was deemed accidental.

The IFD video showing the man attempting to re-enter the burning home is included at the top of this story.