News Reports

Homeowner: Lint in dryer vent chute started fire that destroyed house

Danielle Gingerich, 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13860, dgingerich@heraldargus.com

HUDSON LAKE -- A Hudson Lake couple whose home was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon are staying with family for the time being.

Homeowners Julie and Greg Walenga lost their home at 8351N CR-600E after built-up lint in a dryer vent pipe caught fire, Julie told The LaPorte County Herald-Argus Thursday afternoon.

A county highway employee driving in the area spotted the fire at around 12:16 p.m. The fire engulfed the second floor, then spread to the first floor, authorities said.

The home was built 13 years ago and was valued at an estimated $150,000 to $175,000. The Walengas plan to rebuild a new home on the same property.

"We physically built it," Julie said from her daughter's home by telephone. "It's real hard to swallow."

The Walengas both left for work shortly before 8 a.m. and left the dryer running. They were contacted at work by authorities who informed them of the fire, and rushed home to find only parts of the garage still standing.
"It's all soot," Julie said. "It's all gone."

Everything inside the home was also lost, including many antiques and family heirlooms, she said. During the couple's 30-year marriage, the two acquired such memorabilia as a three-generation basinet and a cane used by a family member at the World's Fair.

"There were so many memories," she said. "It's all gone."

No one was injured in the blaze. The couple's dog usually stays inside the home when they're gone, but he was moved into the garage Tuesday because of bad behavior.

"Luckily we didn't lose a life," she said. "That's all we are grateful for."

Eight fire departments responded: New Carlisle; Springfield, Kankakee, Clay and Warren townships; and LaPorte city from Indiana and Galien and Bertrand townships from Michigan.

No hydrants were available, so tanker trucks were brought in for water access.