Fire department fined after 2 plumbers died during well mishap

Some volunteer firefighters in Muncie are in hot water for trying to complete a rescue they weren't trained for.

The Liberty Township Volunteer Department is being fined $1500 because of an incident where two plumbers from Anderson became overcome by dangerous fumes while working inside of a well.

Two firefighters who had not been trained in confined-space rescue went in to help but they too passed out because of the fumes.

Then, Muncie firefighters arrived and were able to pull all four men out. The two plumbers died but the firefighters survived.


The volunteer fire department is now taking "Technical Rescue Awareness Courses."