Fourth Fire in 90 Days Sparks Safety Concerns in Indianapolis

Neighbor's quick action saves family from blaze at vacant duplex

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred and twisted metal object, conceptually representing the damage and danger posed by the repeated fires at the vacant property.The aftermath of a fire at a vacant Indianapolis duplex that has raised safety concerns in the neighborhood.Indianapolis Today

A family in Indianapolis narrowly escaped a fire that spread from a vacant duplex next door, the fourth such incident in the past 90 days. Neighbor Trinity Bankhead rushed to alert the sleeping family, likely saving their lives. Residents are now calling for the dilapidated building to be torn down, citing growing safety concerns.

Why it matters

The repeated fires at the vacant duplex have become a major safety issue for the surrounding neighborhood, with the latest blaze coming dangerously close to an occupied home. Residents are worried the property has become a disaster waiting to happen and are demanding action to address the ongoing problem.

The details

Firefighters were called to the 300 block of North State Avenue around 4 a.m. on Monday for a fire at a vacant duplex. This was the fourth time in 90 days that crews had responded to a fire at the same property. The fire spread close to the occupied home next door, where Claudia Santana was sleeping with her husband and two children. Neighbor Trinity Bankhead saw the flames and rushed to alert the family, likely saving their lives. The Indianapolis Fire Department said the building was too unstable for firefighters to enter, forcing them to fight the fire defensively from the outside.

  • On March 30, 2026, firefighters responded to a fire at the vacant duplex.
  • This was the fourth fire at the same property in the past 90 days.

The players

Trinity Bankhead

A neighbor who saw the flames and rushed to alert the family next door, likely saving their lives.

Claudia Santana

A resident of the home next door to the vacant duplex, who was sleeping with her husband and two children when the fire broke out.

Indianapolis Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the four fires at the vacant duplex over the past 90 days.

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What they’re saying

“That was the first thing on my mind. They got babies in there. I went to go get my neighbor. Literally, because lives matter.”

— Trinity Bankhead, Neighbor

“I don't think we would have woken up honestly. Our bed is right on the window where the flames were at, but we didn't hear anything.”

— Claudia Santana, Resident

What’s next

Neighbors are calling for the vacant duplex to be torn down, arguing it has become a major safety hazard after the repeated fires. The Indianapolis Fire Department said the building was too unstable for firefighters to enter, raising concerns about the property's condition.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing safety risks posed by vacant and dilapidated properties in Indianapolis neighborhoods. Residents are rightfully concerned about the potential for disaster and are demanding action to address the problem before someone gets seriously hurt.