Large fire destroys local Pastor's home just west of South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. –  A fire in a neighborhood just west of South Bend destroyed a family’s home on Tuesday night.

According to Warren Township Fire Chief Chris Antonucci, the fire began in a garage in the 25000 block of Rolling Hills Dr. around 7:45.

It quickly spread to the home, which is considered to be a complete loss.

The family was inside the home at the time. According to the homeowner’s son, Clint Mock, his father had just finished mowing their lawn.

“He parked it inside the garage, shut the garage door and went inside for dinner. Then, a neighbor pounded on the front door. They saw the smoke coming from the garage, my dad shut the garage and then they all ran out,” says Mock.

Neighbors on scene said it took less than five minutes before the fire was roaring though the home, spreading quickly from the garage.

Two vehicles in the garage and another in the driveway were also destroyed.

Eight departments, led by Warren Township Fire Department, fought the blaze for about two hours. Chief Antonucci says it was challenging since it wasn’t safe for crews to go inside the structure.

Homeowner, Alan Mock, is a Pastor at The Vineyard Church in Mishawaka.

Mock says he was overjoyed to find a special piece of art created by his son-in-law made it through the fire. While the wall it was hanging on was destroyed, the wooden piece of art with his favorite bible verse on it survived.

Many parishioners showed up to the scene to support the Mock family once hearing about what happened.

“They showed up and offered shoes and cloths. You look around and the whole neighborhood is here to help them and console them. This can all be rebuilt, the photos, memories are lost but everyone is ok that’s the main thing,” says Mock.

Cleveland Road was closed from Poppy Road to Prim Rose Road for several hours while crews worked the scene, but it is now reopened.