Jake Merkel

Fort Wayne

Executive Producer at WFFT-TV (Fort Wayne, IN)

BSU alum, Producer: Queen City News

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Articles

Baldwin Creek Apartment fired ruled accidental

Dec 10, 2024 | wfft.com | La'Quan Richardson |Jake Merkel

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- A fire that displaced dozens of people in Fort Wayne on Friday, has been ruled an accident. The Fort Wayne Fire Department tells FOX 55 that a faulty heating and air conditioning unit caused the fire. The blaze happened overnight Friday at the Baldwin Creek Apartments. 67 people throughout the 24-unit complex were misplaced by the blaze. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to [email protected].
Critically injured man escapes burning home and runs to neighbor's house for safety

Dec 5, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

YODER, Ind. (WFFT)- Southwest Allen County firefighters say they arrived to find a two-story farmhouse with heavy fire and smoke at 16835 Indianapolis Road in Yoder just after 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Southwest Allen County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Don Patnoude said heavy fire was coming from the attic when crews arrived. One person who was inside the basement of the house when the fire started was able to escape to a neighbor's house. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Fort Wayne police investigating shooting on Southeast side

Dec 5, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) Fort Wayne police are investigating a reported shooting on the city's Southeast side. Dispatch tells FOX 55 it happened at approximately 6:48 this evening at the 7500 block of Decatur Road. FOX 55 has a crew on the way to the scene but there's no word on any victims as of now. We'll continue bringing you updates as we receive them. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to [email protected].
FWFD investigating fire in Yoder

Dec 5, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

By By: Jake Merkel YODER, Ind. (WFFT) Fort Wayne fire crews are on the scene of a house fire in the 16000 block of Indianapolis Road in Yoder. FOX 55 has a crew on the way to the scene and will bring you updates as we receive them. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to [email protected].
Nearby ISP investigation puts Manchester University on lockdown

Dec 3, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. (WFFT) - Indiana State Police says Manchester University has been placed on lockdown "out of an abundance of caution"This as officials deal with a barricaded subject in North Manchester. ISP Peru says State Road 13 is closed from Market Street to East Street. Drivers are asked to avoid the area in the meantime. This is a developing story and FOX 55 will continue to provide updates as we receive them. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip?
Allen County police chase leads to arrest of multi-state fugitives

Nov 22, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind (WFFT)-- What started as a call about a theft at the Thomas Road Target, ended with the arrest of two people with active warrants in several other states Thursday night. Fort Wayne police responded to the Target around 7:00 p.m.Employees told police Sarah Harris, 34, and Jeremy Hollis, 32, has stolen from the store before. This led to police pulling the suspects over but they drove off and led officers on a chase through Fort Wayne and other parts of Allen County.
Crews battling fire on Fort Wayne's East side

Nov 18, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

By By: Jake Merkel FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - Fort Wayne fire crews are working a blaze on the city's East side at the 500 block of Spillson Avenue. Crews responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m.There's currently no word on any injuries but FOX 55 has a crew on scene working to get more information. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to [email protected].
Steuben County man found guilty in 2023 murder

Nov 12, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

ANGOLA, Ind. (WFFT) - A jury in Steuben County has found Yoshua Monday guilty of murder in the October 2023 death of Bryan Hall, 56. The 12 person jury deliberated for about two hours before the verdict. The trial lasted about five days. He faces 45 to 65 years in prison with an additional five to 20 years on a gun charge. The shooting happened on Gilmore Street in Angola. Court documents say Monday ran into the house that was also a hair salon and shot Hall while he was in a recliner.
One injured in shooting in southeast Fort Wayne

Nov 8, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

By By: Jake Merkel FORT WAYNE, Ind (WFFT)-- Fort Wayne police are investigating a shooting on the city's southeast side tonight. Police dispatch tell FOX 55 it happened around 9:30 p.m. in the 6400 block of Roxanne drive. Dispatch says the victim's injuries are not life threatening. FOX 55 will continue to bring you updates as we receive them. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to [email protected].
One dead, one injured in three-vehicle crash

Nov 6, 2024 | wfft.com | Jake Merkel

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WFFT) -- One person is dead and another is in the hospital after a crash involving a semi that caused a car to catch fire in Allen County's southeast side. It happened around 6:15 at U.S. 27 just north of Flatrock road. The Allen County Sheriff's Department says the driver of a pickup truck was going north in the southbound lane of 27 and crashed head on with another truck. Shortly after, a semi struck both trucks, causing the northbound truck to catch on fire.