St. John firefighters honored for March 14 house‑explosion response

The Town Council on March 26 recognized three members of the St. John Fire Department for their actions on March 14 at a house fire that involved explosions and hazardous materials in Lowell, the town’s fire chief said.

Chief Adams (St. John Fire Department) read a letter from Christopher Gamblin, fire chief of the Lowell Fire Department, which described a working house fire that originated from an explosion and involved chemicals at the property. The Lowell letter said multiple explosions continued during the incident, threatening people on scene and motorists on the nearby highway. Gamblin’s letter thanked the St. John engine crew for helping establish hose lines and protect emergency medical personnel treating the injured; he asked that the Saint John crew be formally acknowledged for their professionalism.

Chief Adams told the council the scene required specialized response: the Porter County Bomb Squad and the ATF responded and the incident was being investigated. Adams said that, in his experience dating to 1995, this was an unusually hazardous scene and that the three crew members’ efforts contributed to gaining control of the fire and eliminating further explosion risk.

Lieutenant Zach Strubiak, Firefighter‑Paramedic Matt Eastal and Firefighter‑EMT Zach Ritt were brought forward and presented meritorious‑conduct awards and accompanying commendation bars by the St. John Fire Department. The council and attendees took photographs; no formal council vote was required for the recognition.

Chief Gamblin’s letter closed by calling the departments a “fire family” and expressing appreciation for the St. John crew’s actions that night.