Доброжелатель спас мужчину с горящей одеждой из гаража после взрыва генератора в Индиане

Good Samaritan helps rescue Indiana man from burning garage after reported generator explosion CHICAGO - A Crown Point man suffered serious burns after a gasoline-powered generator reportedly exploded Thursday as widespread power outages continue across northwest Indiana. Crown Point generator explosion What they're saying: The Lake County Sheriff's Department said the fire happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 9000 block of Lee Place. According to authorities, a husband, wife and their two adult children managed to escape the home. The husband suffered second-degree burns after a gasoline-powered generator reportedly exploded while he was refueling it. Reported generator explosion causes house fire in Crown Point. Isaiah, who was driving by the home with a friend, said they noticed smoke and saw the garage on fire. As they called 911, Isaiah said he spotted a man trapped behind a gate in the garage. "I just had to get in there and help him out," Isaiah said. Isaiah said fire began falling on him as he tried to reach the man, causing him to initially back away. He was eventually able to move the gate and help the man out of the garage. The man's shirt was on fire as he escaped, according to Isaiah. He said the man stopped, dropped and rolled in a puddle to extinguish the flames. The sheriff's department said ammunition inside the home caused popping sounds during the fire but did not pose a danger to the public or emergency crews. Isaiah said his brother is a local firefighter and that he tries to stay prepared for emergencies. "There's a saying I know: You don't rise to the occasion. You sink to the level of your training," Isaiah said. "When a chaotic situation happens, your mind just goes blank and you gotta get done what you need to get done." Isaiah's friend, Richard, also helped during the fire. He said he took the family's pets and placed them in a vehicle to keep them safe. He then moved their vehicles and directed traffic away from the home so emergency crews could get through. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez is warning residents about the risks of portable generators, especially when gasoline is involved. "Generators are useful during outages, but can be extremely dangerous if used improperly," Martinez said. "Gasoline and a hot generator can be a deadly combination. Please take proper precautions." What you can do: With many people relying on generators during the outages, officials are reminding residents to use them safely. The sheriff's department said to let generators cool completely before refueling them and to always refuel outdoors. Generators should never be operated inside a home, garage or other enclosed space, even if doors or windows are open. Officials recommend operating generators outdoors at least 20 feet from structures to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Residents should also keep generators away from flammable materials and use properly rated extension cords. Generators should not be connected directly to a home's wiring unless a transfer switch has been installed by a qualified electrician. Gasoline should be kept in approved containers away from heat sources, and children and pets should be kept away from generators and fuel. Officials also recommend having working carbon monoxide detectors in the home. By the numbers: The fire comes as thousands of people across northwest Indiana continue to deal with power outages following severe weather this week. NIPSCO's outage map showed more than 8,500 customers without power in Crown Point as of 10 a.m. Friday. Across NIPSCO's service area, just over 180,000 customers were experiencing outages. NIPSCO said it expects to restore service to 90% of affected customers by Tuesday and is aiming to have power fully restored by next Friday. Big picture view: Hundreds of National Guard members are in Lake County helping with cleanup after severe weather hit the Chicago area several times this week. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has declared a statewide disaster emergency. The National Guard also plans to distribute meals to people in the area. What's next: The sheriff's department said its investigation into the Lee Place fire remains ongoing. The Source: The information in this story came from the Lake County Sheriff's Department, NIPSCO, local officials and two residents who rescued the homeowner from the fire.