Crime
Braydon Blake Arrested Following Bloomington House Fire That Killed Two People
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Authorities are investigating a fatal house fire in Bloomington that left two people dead and one individual in police custody early Sunday morning.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), deputies and personnel from the Monroe County Fire Protection District were dispatched to the 3800 block of East Anderson Road at approximately 2:39 a.m. following reports of a residential structure fire.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered that a vehicle had crashed into an attached garage, which was fully involved in flames.
One individual had managed to escape the residence but was suffering from severe burn injuries.
A second individual on scene provided preliminary information to investigators.
Both were transported to a local hospital and later airlifted or transferred to Indianapolis for specialized burn treatment.
During a search of the residence, responders located two additional occupants inside the home.
As emergency crews worked the scene, law enforcement began searching for a person believed to be responsible for starting the fire.
With assistance from the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police, a person of interest identified as Braydon Blake was located approximately one hour later in a wooded area on the property.
Blake was also suffering from burn injuries and was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Indianapolis for further medical treatment.
MCSO confirmed that two individuals later died as a result of their injuries.
A source told Channel2 NOW that her friend lost her grandmother, and that the grandmother’s caretaker also lost her disabled child in the incident.
The Monroe County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of the fire at this time.
PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — February 15, 2026 — The City of Port Jervis Police Department is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on Hammond Street.
At approximately 12:32 a.m. on February 15, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area of 145–147 Hammond Street, located in the city’s Fourth Ward.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 43-year-old Jason Finch suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body following what authorities described as a disturbance.
Finch was transported to Bon Secours Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite lifesaving efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation is being conducted as a homicide and is a coordinated effort involving the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, with additional assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
Authorities have indicated that, at this time, the incident appears to be isolated and there is no known ongoing threat to the public.
Detectives continue to process evidence, conduct interviews, and pursue investigative leads.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Port Jervis Police Department at 845-856-5101. Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.