Indianapolis man trapped trying to get out of burning home; his girfriend, 2 children die

Man trapped in burning home; girfriend, 2 kids die

INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say an Indianapolis man trying to lead his family out of their burning home got trapped inside and could only listen in horror to the cries of his two children, who died in the fire along with his girlfriend.

Thirty-seven-year-old Daniel Fox told investigators he ran into a bathroom around 6 a.m. Saturday looking for an escape route.

But the bathroom door had no doorknob and when the door closed behind him, Fox couldn’t open it. He said he smashed a window and jumped out.

Capt. Rita Reith of Indianapolis Fire Department says Fox tried to re-enter the home to save his family but was driven back by flames and dense smoke.

Reith says the children apparently were overcome by smoke as they banged on the door trying to get to their father. Thirty-two-year-old Cheryl Strong and 16-year-old Michael Fox died at the scene, while 8-year-old Kelsey Fox died at a hospital.