Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - No cause has been determined for the fire Feb. 7 that resulted in injuries to four family members at Silver Lake.
A benefit is planned for Saturday to help defray the costs incurred by the family.
According to Alden Taylor of the State Fire Marshal's Office, the cause for the fire remains under investigation. Silver Lake fire officials turned the investigation over to the state agency the day the fire occurred and, Taylor said, no findings have been released as to a cause. He could not speculate when that determination might be made.
Brian and Michelle Sherrill and their three children were reportedly asleep in their Ind. 14 home when a smoke alarm sounding awoke Brian, who was sleeping in a downstairs bedroom.
Brian was able to awaken his wife and their 8-year-old son, Steven, who were asleep downstairs, and to rescue 5-year-old Katlyn from an upstairs bedroom before he was overcome. Michelle then helped Brian from the home and went upstairs to get their 7-year-old son, Cody. She found him in an upstairs bedroom and dropped him outside to safety, before jumping out the window.
Most seriously injured was Cody, who suffered from smoke inhalation and was initially in critical condition at St. Joseph Hospital Regional Medical Center at Fort Wayne. He was on a respirator when he was admitted to the hospital, but his condition quickly improved and he was released from the hospital on Feb. 10.
Katlyn also was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where she was treated for burns to her hands and released the following day.
Brian suffered burns to his nose and left hand and is suffering the effects of the heat and smoke inhalation. He has been released from Kosciusko Community Hospital and developed bronchitis as a result of the breathing therapy needed to get the smoke out of his lungs.
Michelle suffered from scrapes and cuts after jumping out of the house. She was treated at KCH and released the night of the fire.
Steven was not injured in the fire.
A former jailer in the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Brian took a similar job at the Whitley County Jail on Dec. 20. He has not been on the job there long enough to accumulate any sick or vacation time, so a benefit has been planned to help the family. Brian also is a volunteer fireman with the Silver Lake Fire Department.
Damage to the Sherrills' home is estimated at $40,000 to $50,000. The structure is still standing, but it sustained smoke, fire and water damage. Family members are staying with friends until they can get back into their home.
The benefit, an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast, is being hosted by the Indiana State Police and employees and friends of the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.
Several area business and individuals are donating all of the food and supplies for the event, set for 6 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Eagles Nest Event Center, the clubhouse at Eagle Glen, Ind. 205, just east of U.S. 30 at Columbia City. There is no cost for the event, but donations will be accepted.
For more information, call the WCSD at 244-6410.
