A late-night blaze ripped through a tri-level home on Fort Wayne’s northwest side Friday, sending flames roaring through an attached garage packed with propane tanks. Remarkably, everyone got out alive. But the close call raises a serious question every homeowner needs to ask right now: could your garage be a fire waiting to happen?
What Happened on Yellowstone Drive
Firefighters with the Fort Wayne Fire Department were dispatched just after 10 p.m. Friday to the 6100 block of Yellowstone Drive. The location sits just northeast of Sweetwater Sound and the Amazon Fulfillment Center on the city’s northwest side.
Crews arrived to find a three-story home with flames already consuming the attached garage. Multiple propane tanks near the structure added a dangerous layer to an already intense scene.
Fire officials say the propane tanks helped the flames spread quickly to the roof of the attached garage, turning what might have been a manageable fire into a fast-moving emergency that required an aggressive response.
How Firefighters Fought Back
Crews launched an immediate interior attack despite the threat posed by the tanks. They pushed through the structure, searching every level for anyone who might still be inside.
One person had already self-evacuated before firefighters arrived. A pet trapped inside the home was rescued by crews on the scene.
The fire took approximately 30 minutes to bring under control. When the smoke cleared, the home had suffered heavy fire and smoke damage, along with moderate water damage from the firefighting effort.
- Dispatch time: Just after 10:03 p.m. Friday, May 16
- Location: 6100 block of Yellowstone Drive, northwest Fort Wayne
- Structure: Tri-level home with attached garage
- Hazard on scene: Multiple propane tanks near the garage
- Time to control: Approximately 30 minutes
- Damage: Heavy fire and smoke damage, moderate water damage
- Injuries: None reported
- Rescues: One pet saved
No injuries were reported to firefighters or the resident. The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.
Why Propane Tanks Made This Fire So Dangerous
The presence of multiple propane tanks near the garage was not just a detail in this story. It was the element that raised the stakes dramatically for everyone on scene.
When a propane tank is exposed to fire, the heat causes internal pressure to rise rapidly inside the pressurized container. Fire experts refer to the worst possible outcome as a BLEVE, a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion, which can send projectiles flying in all directions.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group warns that projectiles from a tank explosion can travel up to 2,500 feet away. That means crews working the Yellowstone Drive fire were operating under real and serious risk every minute they were inside that structure.
“Directly attacking propane tank fires is a structural fire task involving hazardous materials and should only be attempted by trained personnel.” — National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
Safety experts note that propane is heavier than air and settles at ground level when it leaks. In an enclosed space like a garage, even a small leak can build up to explosive levels quickly. Something as routine as flipping a light switch can provide the spark needed to ignite it.
What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Right Now
Storing propane tanks in or near a garage is more common than most people realize. It is also one of the most dangerous fire hazards on your property.
The National Fire Protection Association has strict codes that explicitly prohibit storing propane tanks indoors, including in garages. Yet many homeowners routinely keep grill tanks, spare cylinders, or other propane-powered equipment inside enclosed spaces without a second thought.
Here is what fire safety guidelines and experts recommend:
- Never store propane tanks inside a garage, shed, or any enclosed area.
- Keep tanks outdoors in a well-ventilated, shaded spot away from direct sunlight.
- Store tanks at least 10 feet away from building entrances, air conditioners, and ignition sources.
- Inspect tanks regularly for rust, dents, or worn valves and hoses.
- If you smell gas, leave the area immediately without using any electrical device or switch.
- Install working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department itself actively provides free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to residents as part of its fire prevention program. It is a resource many residents may not even know is available to them.
Fort Wayne firefighters protect more than 255,000 citizens across 110.5 square miles, operating out of 18 stations around the clock. Friday night’s response was a sharp reminder of how fast ordinary household items can turn a home into a crisis scene.
The Yellowstone Drive fire is still under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined what started the blaze. What is clear is that a family escaped what could have been a fatal night, thanks to a quick exit and an even quicker response from Fort Wayne’s fire crews. As investigators work to find the cause, this incident is a powerful reminder that the danger is often stored right in our own garages. Share this story with someone you care about before they become the next close call.
