Busy Winter Storm Keeps Liberty Township Firefighters Responding to Fires, Crashes, and Emergencies

Liberty Township – Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire in the 800 block of Canyon Drive in Jackson Township on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. After receiving updates that two vehicles were on fire in an attached garage, Lieutenant Paul McKeague requested a First Alarm assignment and the activation of a Tanker Plan.

Tanker Plans 2 and 3 were later activated to ensure adequate water supply and resources were available due to the fire conditions and severe winter weather. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy fire conditions originating in the attached garage of a residential structure, with fire extending into the residence. Firefighters worked in bitter cold conditions to quickly establish a water supply and suppress the active fire.

There was one reported injury at the scene. The homeowner sustained burn injuries and was transported to a local
hospital for treatment. No firefighter injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and
additional information will be released as it becomes available.

This incident was one of many emergencies handled by the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department during a period of increased call volume due to a winter storm impacting the area. Since Friday, the department has responded to three structure fires, one vehicle fire, ten motor vehicle crashes, one medical call, and two fire alarm activations, while continuing to maintain normal emergency response coverage throughout the township.

One of the motor vehicle crashes responded to during the storm involved a Porter County Sheriff’s Department deputy who was struck by a passing vehicle while assisting at a separate slide-off on State Road 49, south of U.S. Highway 6. The deputy sustained serious injuries and was transported to a trauma center in South Bend for further treatment. State Road 49 was closed for several hours to allow the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team to investigate the scene.

The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is grateful for the assistance provided by our mutual aid partners
during this incident and throughout the winter storm.