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SYRACUSE - Two Syracuse residents are in critical condition in a Fort Wayne hospital after a flash fire in their home Wednesday night. Five firefighters also were injured, but three children in the home escaped without injury.
Randy Rinker, 43, and his wife, Lisa Rinker, 40, were installing carpet in the basement of their home at 11549 Ind. 13N, Syracuse, when the fumes from the glue they were using apparently ignited with an open flame, either on the furnace or a gas water heater, according to Syracuse Fire Department officials. Emergency crews were called to the home at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday.
The Rinkers were taken by ambulance to Goshen General Hospital and later airlifted to St. Joseph Hospital Regional Burn Center, Fort Wayne, where both were listed in critical condition late this morning. The extent of their injuries was not released, but both reportedly suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
The fire was contained to the basement of the two-story home, but there was smoke and heat damage throughout. Also, the fire was accompanied by an explosion that knocked out some of the windows in the home.
Tracy Coates, a Syracuse firefighter, suffered minor burns to his neck area and was treated at GGH and released. Four other firefighters suffered singed eyebrows and/or hair and were treated at the scene.
Firefighters from North Webster, Milford, Cromwell and Benton Township (Elkhart County) assisted Syracuse firefighters. Crews were on the scene until 2:18 a.m. today. Also at the scene were personnel from Syracuse, North Webster and Multi-Township emergency medical services. Goshen and North Webster ambulance crews assisted in transporting the Rinkers to GGH.
