Full Notification

Muncie – Last night about 6 p.m. Trooper Jacob Ridgway was off duty and driving through Muncie in his marked state police car.  As he drove by a residence at 1208 Cowing Drive, he noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the residence. As he drove past he noticed in his rear view mirror the smoke went from white to black and got increasingly thicker.
 
Ridgway backed up in front of the house and got out.  As he went up the driveway he could see a vehicle was fully engulfed in fire under the carport at the rear of the house.  The home owner, Jack Mitchener, age 79, was standing outside the carport.  Ridgway got him away from the fire but was unable to get any information from him as he appeared to be in shock.
 
A neighbor, Scott Clark, arrived and told Ridgway that Mr. Mitchener’s wife, Virginia, age 72, was still in the house.  By now the fire was spreading to the rear of the house.  Ridgway was able to enter the home through a side patio door and found Mrs. Mitchener seated in a chair in the residence, with her walker nearby. Smoke was beginning to fill the rear of the house as Ridgway helped Mrs. Mitchener to the door.
 
As they got to the door neighbors Scott and Linda Clark helped get Mrs. Mitchener safely away from the home.  Ridgway then ran to his car and radioed Indiana State Police Dispatch to summon fire units. EMS units also responded and checked everyone at the scene. There were no injuries.
 
Trooper Ridgway is a one year member of the Indiana State Police and is assigned to the Pendleton District. This incident demonstrates more than just being at the right place at the right time. It serves as a reminder that an Indiana State Trooper is always on duty, and it further demonstrates the value of troopers living in the communities they serve.

MEDIA NOTE- Trooper Ridgway will be off duty and unavailable for interviews until 7 p.m. Saturday evening.

The first attached photo is of the fire damage to the rear of the house.  The second photo is of Trooper Ridgway.