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Gary, Ind. Firefighters Stuck In Bad Digs

(CBS)—Imagine trying to sleep while living above a party-room — and you're a firefighter.

It's a problem that's long plagued some of Gary, Ind.'s finest, who earlier this month were called to fight multiple fires in one night. CBS 2's Brad Edwards reports there may be a remedy.

Fire Station No. 5 was shuttered in 2012. Firefighters bounced from one location to — now — the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center. It's part homeless shelter. Its engine sits next to a float.

It's connected to a party room that's for rent.

"A lot of our guys can't get any sleep," Gary Fire Department Lt. Kevin Thomas says. "Something needs to be done right away."

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who calls the situation "substandard," has just secured a HUD loan for a new home.

"We're looking to do as much as we can, as quickly as we can," she says.

At one potential building site construction might begin as early as early next year.

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