A Richmond man and woman were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after an explosion and fire April 17.
Forrest Tevis IV, 51, and Autumn Reed, 24, were found with burn injuries in front of a residence in the 100 block of Randolph Street in Richmond. They were transported to Reid Health, then flown by medical helicopter to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis for specialized burn treatment, according to a Richmond Police Department news release.
Two children were evaluated for potential smoke inhalation, and a passer-by who assisted prior to first responder arrival was treated on the scene, the release said.
Richmond Fire Department and RPD were dispatched about 8:45 a.m. to the reported explosion and fire. Black smoke poured into the sky before firefighters arrived on scene.
According to county property records, the two-story home where the fire originated was built in 1920. A second home just feet away was also burned.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the explosion and fire, according to the release.
Wayne County Emergency Communications, Reid Health EMS, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond Power and Light, CenterPoint Energy and the Red Cross assisted.
A version of this article appeared in the April 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.