Police and fire officials are investigating a fatal fire early Tuesday at an apartment on Swanson Court in Portage.
After the flames were extinguished, firefighters found Maria Leal, 87, of Portage, in the first-floor apartment where the fire is believed to have started, according to a release from Capt. He later died at Northwest Health-Porter.
An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine his cause of death.
Another resident was rescued from a second-floor balcony after Portage firefighters were called to the scene around 12:10 a.m. in the 3300 block of Swanson Court.
While first responders were still on the scene, Leal’s daughter arranged and said her boyfriend had threatened to burn down the apartment earlier in the evening during an argument elsewhere, according to the release.
A Crown Point Fire Department K-9 detected flammable liquids at the scene, police said. The Indiana State Marshal’s Office is also assisting in the investigation.
A suspect was found driving near the scene of the fire at approximately 1:30 a.m. His vehicle was located and searched. He was being held in the Porter County Jail on unrelated charges while the investigation continued. His identity has been withheld pending formal charges.
Fire Chief Chris Crail said the fire was brought under control quickly after being called shortly after midnight.
“The crew that went in there did an amazing job,” he said. “Within the first 15 minutes of arriving on the scene, they had water on the fire.”
The state fire marshal’s office is assisting at the request of the Portage Fire Department. Also assisting the Crown Point Fire Department and Precision Towing.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected during this difficult time,” the Portage Fire Department posted on social media. The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents.
“The members of the Portage Police Department extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Ms. Leal and hope to bring a sense of justice to them when the criminal charges are finalized,” police said in the release. .
Crail could not remember the last time the department had handled a fatal fire.
“The severity of our calls has been pretty consistent and increasing. It’s taking a toll on our guys,” Crail said. The battalion chief working Monday night reached out to every firefighter working this fire to make sure they were all OK, Crail said.
The department offers peer support at home. If a firefighter needs help outside of that scope, the department can put them in touch with professionals who can help.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.