Key Points

• A routine commute to a job site for MPL employee Nick Kocher recently turned into something far from ordinary when a gut instinct ultimately saved a family’s farmhouse from going up in flames.
• Kocher worked quickly to ensure no one was home at the time and used his background in natural gas to prevent further danger and assist the volunteer effort to contain the fire.
• Kocher’s willingness to act in a critical situation, supported by the efforts of neighbors and emergency responders, highlights the power of community and doing what’s right.

---

Nick Kocher, a construction and maintenance technician at Marathon Pipe Line (MPL), was on his way to a job site one March afternoon when he noticed something unusual out of the corner of his eye. What he initially thought was just a flicker of smoke quickly turned into a commute he won’t soon forget.

"I was running a little behind, heading into Indiana, when I saw the smoke coming out of the soffit of a farmhouse,” said Kocher. “It was really close to the chimney, and that didn’t sit right with me. I slowed down, and as I got closer it became clear it was smoke."

As a father of three, just the thought of who might be inside and whether they needed help made him pull over. That’s when his instincts, shaped by both training and upbringing, kicked in. He rushed to the front door and knocked urgently. When no one answered, he called 911.

"I kept calling out, 'Is anyone in there?' but no one answered," said Kocher. "I continued checking around the house, as I worked to ensure dispatchers had the information they needed to pinpoint my exact location."

As the fire spread, Kocher continued working quickly to verify no one was inside the home, while also looking for anything that might make the situation worse. While waiting for help to arrive, he noticed a propane tank near the house.

"I’ve worked in the natural gas world for years. Shutting off the propane tank was second nature to me. I knew it could make the fire a lot worse if I didn’t," he said.

When the first fire truck arrived, the situation was intensifying.

"Flames began to pour from the windows," Kocher said.

He quickly helped the volunteer firefighter unwrap the hoses and set up the equipment while keeping an eye on the growing danger.

"More people were showing up. Soon, there were 20 people there, all working together to get the fire under control," he said.

While Kocher continued to assist the mostly volunteer crews, neighbors, some of whom knew the family, were able to reach one of the homeowners and let them know what was happening. By then, even more responders had arrived.

"Every hand was needed,” Kocher said. “And I couldn’t believe how so many people showed up to help. It felt really good to know so many people cared."

“You don’t often see someone step up like that. What Nick did wasn’t just brave, it was heroic.”

Though the damage was significant, the home was saved and no one was hurt. Kocher’s quick actions were credited with preventing an even worse outcome.

"Nick’s quick thinking and bravery that day were remarkable," said Redgie Pinkston, Fire Chief of the Turman Township Volunteer Fire Department in Graysville, Indiana, one of the first departments to respond to the fire. "From trusting his instincts to pull over that day and put his own training to use, to assisting our firefighters, Nick truly stepped up and demonstrated the true spirit of a firefighter."

For Kocher, he’ll tell you he felt like he was just doing what anyone else would have done if they were in the same situation. "I truly believe I was in the right place at the right time. It just felt like everything fell into place, like it was meant to happen."

Kocher’s instincts and sense of responsibility made all the difference that day, a reminder of the impact one person can have when it matters most.

“One of our biggest goals at Marathon Pipe Line is to protect the public and earn their trust,” said Brad Stahl, Construction & Maintenance Director at MPL. “Nick didn’t even think twice, he just stepped in and did what needed to be done. That’s the kind of person he is. He leads with integrity, looks out for others and shows what it really means to be a good neighbor. His selflessness that day says a lot about the kind of people we’re proud to have here at Marathon."