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Space heater sparks fire leaving seven homeless

Posted at 12:13 PM, Jan 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-24 20:16:20-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- A family of seven was left homeless after a space heater started a fire Saturday night.

The fire broke out shortly before 11pm in the 3400 block of Sherman Drive.

The home was being rented by a family of four adults - ages 71, 60, 49 and 45 -  and children ages 9, 9 and 10.

PHOTOS | Fire scene pictures

Firefighters say the furnace wasn't working, so they were using a space heater to keep warm.

RELATED | Space heater safety

The family says the heater had a frayed cord and they saw it was sparking.

They got out and immediately called 911.

A 60-year-old woman and a nine-year-old boy were taken to the hospital with possible smoke inhalation.

Firefighters say there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

Damage is estimated at $30,000.

IFD is working with Red Cross to find shelter for the family.

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