Firefighters contain blaze at South Bend Motel; Residents safely evacuate

Fire crews battled a blaze at the South Bend Motel on South Michigan Street. The South Bend Fire Department was called just before 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sep. 19, and arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the building. All residents had evacuated before crews entered. Ceews discovered significant fire in three motel rooms, which had spread into the attic. THe blaze was brought under control in about 30 minutes. Several people were evaluated at the scene, and the American Red Cross was contacted to help those displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.