Superior St. Fire Response - TJ Nowak Supply

Late last evening, the owners of TJ Nowak Supply Company were contacted by the Fort Wayne Fire Department when a fire started behind the Maintenance building which houses a machine shop and storage. According to the onsite investigator, the fire originated by an individual who was sleeping outside the building and had started a campfire. It then spread to nearby port-a-johns, creating enough heat to damage the exterior of the building and break a window, causing smoke and fire damage inside the building. The fire spread into the building but was extinguished quickly by firefighters. It is our understanding from the scene investigator that the individual who started the fire perished outside, and cause of death has not been announced to the best of our knowledge. No employees or anyone affiliated with TJ Nowak Supply Company were injured or present at the time of the incident.

TJ Nowak Supply Company is a family-owned company which has been located on West Superior Street in downtown Fort Wayne for over 77 years. Nowak provides welding supplies and gasses, public safety equipment, construction materials, and fire protection services to northeast Indiana. In our long history in downtown Fort Wayne, our company has never experienced a tragedy of this magnitude. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the individual who passed away. We look forward to working closely with the outstanding investigative team within the Fort Wayne Police and Fire Departments, and appreciate their swift action.

Questions:
Jason Summers 260-750-2653
Paul Lagemann 260-410-3260