Fatal fire in New Carlisle claims one

Neighbors attempt to save man trapped in home

October 22, 2010|By DAVE STEPHENS Tribune Staff Writer

NEW CARLISLE — Lydia Woodcox say she was scared to watch her father go into the burning mobile home, and just as worried when he came out alone.

About 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Lydia stood and watched as her father, Brian Woodcox, opened the doors of the smoking mobile home and searched for the man inside.

"He had to come out ’cause he thought his head was on fire," 13-year-old Lydia said.

Brian Woodcock then broke out windows to the home in a small mobile home park along U.S. 20 on New Carlisle’s east side, and he tried to rouse the man inside, even as the flames grew stronger.

Despite Brian’s effort, firefighters arrived to find a fully engulfed fire and a man – whose name has not been released pending notification of his family — dead inside.

The man, neighbors said, had lived in the home for at least nine years after experiencing a stroke in his 30s that left one side of his body partially paralyzed.

New Carlisle Town Marshall Tom Baker said the man was in his 60s, but he did not provide other information except that the state fire marshal’s office had been called to investigate.

"Obviously at this time we don’t have a cause," Baker said.

The fire’s location right along the town’s main highway caused traffic to back up for more than a mile as crews battled the flames. The mobile home, which neighbors said had been packed with items, was completely destroyed.

Lydia, who stood with her family and watched as police and firefighters investigated, said she was proud of her father’s rescue attempt.

"I was scared," she said, "but he was OK."

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