One person dead after fire rips through Michigan City antique store

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- One person is dead after a fire ripped through a Michigan City antique store.

The Michigan City Fire Department told us that crews from all four engine companies responded to a structure fire at 1004 E. Michigan Blvd. at 3 a.m. on Sunday.

When the crews arrived, they found the Antiques Art on fire. The fire was so large that even off-duty workers were called in for back-up. It took hours for the fire to be extinguished.

When police first arrived on the scene, they could not get into the building to search for and rescue people who could be trapped inside. One person died. There is no word yet on that person's identity.

Check out these photos provided by the fire department. You can see how severe the fire was because of the thick smoke pouring out of the building. Flames were visible from the street.

The Public Information Officer with the Michigan City Fire Department told us there was heavy fire damage to the top floor of the building. There was also heavy smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the building.

Investigators determined that the fire started outside the building, but do not yet know what caused it.

The American Red Cross also provided aid to adjoining neighbors and rehab for the fire department.

We called the LaPorte County Coroner's Office to find out more about the person who was killed in the fire. It was after hours when we received the press release, so we left a message and will bring you more information as soon as it is available.