A Terre Haute firefighter was injured while battling a fire at a vacant commercial building on Hulman Street. According to WTHI-10's initial report[1], firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, to the former Cabin Pub and Grub building at 1350 Hulman Street, just off 13th and Hulman Streets. WTHI-10 reported road closures around Hulman and Seabury Streets for much of the day.
One Terre Haute Fire Department firefighter was hurt while fighting the fire. WTHI-10 reported that he was treated at a local hospital and released the same day, and officials said he is expected to be OK. The hospital was not named, and the nature of the injury was not specified beyond that he was hurt while battling the blaze.
Investigators ruled the fire intentionally set
On Friday, August 28, WTHI-10 reported[2] that investigators ruled the fire incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set. The Terre Haute Police Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office are investigating. No suspect has been named and no charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.
The Tribune-Star also reported the incendiary determination[3], following its earlier report on the investigation[4].
What should injured people do next?
When a fire causes injury, important records are often created in the first days and controlled by other people or agencies. If you were hurt in a fire or during the response, obtain appropriate medical care and keep copies of your records. Ask for the fire department's incident report and the fire marshal's cause-and-origin determination when they become available. Write down what you remember while events are still fresh.
Photographs of the structure, the point of origin, and any equipment involved can become important because suppression, investigation, demolition, or repair can alter a fire scene. If you were injured on the job, report the injury to your employer in writing and keep a copy. The firm's guide to workers' compensation and third-party claims explains why employment status and the identity of other potentially responsible parties matter.
Why location matters in an Indiana injury claim
Where an injury happens can affect venue, records, and deadlines. A fire in Vigo County will ordinarily be venued in the Vigo County courts. Here, the responding and investigating agencies identified in the reporting include the Terre Haute Fire Department, the Terre Haute Police Department, and the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office. Records held by different agencies may have different request procedures and timelines.
When a city or another governmental entity is involved, the Indiana Tort Claims Act may impose a notice requirement separate from the ordinary filing deadline. Under IC 34-13-3-8[5], notice of a claim against a political subdivision generally must be filed within 180 days. Under IC 34-13-3-6[6], a claim against the State generally requires notice within 270 days. The firm's explanation of an Indiana government tort claim notice provides additional context.
Indiana also uses modified comparative fault. Under IC 34-51-2-6[7], an injured person whose own fault is greater than 50 percent recovers nothing; otherwise, recovery is reduced by that person's percentage of fault. Most Indiana personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury under IC 34-11-2-4[8]. Professional responders injured in the line of duty may face additional workers' compensation and third-party claim questions that depend on the facts.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm can review available records, identify deadlines, and explain how a work injury and a possible claim against another party may fit together. Insurance carriers and other parties may aggressively defend disputed claims, so careful documentation matters.
If you or a family member was injured in a fire or another incident, you can request a free case evaluation to discuss the situation and your options in plain terms. You can also review the firm's fire and burn injury information.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
Sources
- WTHI-10's initial report (wthitv.com) ↩
- WTHI-10 reported (wthitv.com) ↩
- Tribune-Star also reported the incendiary determination (tribstar.com) ↩
- earlier report on the investigation (tribstar.com) ↩
- IC 34-13-3-8 (iga.in.gov) ↩
- IC 34-13-3-6 (iga.in.gov) ↩
- IC 34-51-2-6 (iga.in.gov) ↩
- IC 34-11-2-4 (iga.in.gov) ↩
