BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A deadly house fire early Sunday morning claimed two lives and resulted in one person being taken into custody after a vehicle crashed into the home, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities were called to a residence in the 3800 block of East Anderson Road around 2:39 a.m. Sunday following reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a vehicle had crashed into an attached garage, which was already engulfed in flames.
One occupant managed to escape the burning home but sustained serious burn injuries. A second person at the scene provided initial information to investigators. Both were transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a specialized burn care unit in Indianapolis.
During a search of the residence, firefighters discovered two additional occupants inside. The Monroe County Coroner’s Office later confirmed both individuals died from their injuries. Their identities are being withheld pending family notification.
While firefighters battled the blaze, law enforcement initiated a search for a person of interest believed to be responsible for starting the fire. With assistance from the Bloomington Police Department and Indiana State Police, authorities located Braydon Blake approximately an hour later in a wooded area on the property.
Officials said Blake also suffered burn injuries. He was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Indianapolis for further treatment and subsequently taken into custody by law enforcement.
The investigation, which is being treated as a criminal matter, remains active and ongoing. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated that no further details will be released at this time as detectives continue to process the scene and conduct interviews.