ASHTABULA — A family of nine is homeless today after a fire swept through their two-story West Prospect Road home early Tuesday afternoon.
None of the occupants or firefighters called to the scene were injured, but five cats died from smoke, firefighters said. One woman had to jump from a second-story window, according to a report.
Firefighters were dispatched to 1040 W. Prospect around 1:14 p.m. The first trucks to arrive saw flames and heavy smoke rolling from the enclosed front porch and foyer, according to a report. Black smoke was also billowing from windows on the first- and second-floors, as well as the attic, firefighters said.
Initial reports indicated a disabled person in a wheelchair could be in the building, firefighters said. The fire was quickly doused, allowing firefighters to conduct a search of the 2/12 story house amid heavy smoke, according to reports.
Prior to the trucks’ arrival, a 25-year-old woman in a second-floor bedroom smelled smoke and escaped the fire only by leaping from a window, firefighters said. The woman went next door to a Wendy’s restaurant where she was treated for smoke inhalation by Community Care Ambulance personnel, firefighters said. She was then transported to Ashtabula County Medical Center, according to reports.
No one else was home at the time, firefighters said.
Assisting at the scene were firefighters from Ashtabula and Saybrook townships.
The blaze caused an estimated $70,000 damage to the structure and contents. The house was insured, but not the contents.
A fire report released Tuesday night did not identify the occupants or the owner of the house. Cause of the blaze is under investigation by the city fire department, according to the report. Firefighters stayed on the scene more than three hours.
The eastbound lane of the multi-lane street was closed to traffic during the fire. Family of the occupants sought shelter at the restaurant, which closed its doors for nearly two hours while fire officials and volunteers from the Red Cross met with them. The restaurant was not damaged in the fire.
Firefighters commended the management and staff of Wendy’s for assisting the victims.
“The family is staying with a family member who is able to help them out for a few days,” said Rene Palagy, executive director of the Ashtabula County chapter of the American Red Cross. “We will be working with this family for some time.”
Anyone willing to help may donate to the Red Cross Disaster Fund, Ashtabula County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 433 Center St., Ashtabula, Oh 44004.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
City fire leaves nine homeless
- Local News
-
-
Conneaut’s development headquarters takes shape
A small building two blocks from Lake Erie could become Conneaut’s economic development headquarters before the start of summer.
-
Sheriff’s detectives net two active meth labs
Acting on a tip, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies uncovered an active methamphetamine lab Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Van Robison.
-
Former Ashtabula resident killed in car crash Tuesday
Ashley N. Penwell, 22, formerly of East Fourth St., Ashtabula, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tuesday car crash on Charleston Pike Road in Chillicothe.
-
Ashtabula County is near top in 2011 bear sightings
Ashtabula County finished second in the number of black bear sightings reported in Ohio last year, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
-
Break-in results in felony charges
A Conneaut man faces two felony charges stemming from a break-in at a vacant Cleveland Court house earlier this week, according to Conneaut Municipal Court records.
-
Conneaut Middle School’s Goodwill drive big success
Students and staff at Conneaut Middle School responded in a big way to a plea for donations issued late last month by Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
-
ACMC teams up with Goodwill on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, area residents are encouraged to show their love by cleaning out their closets and heading over to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
-
Presses stopped: Updated with video
It was June 23, 1969.
-
Murder suspect kills self at mother’s grave
Madison Township police officers found the body of a murder suspect in the Alexander Harper Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, ending a day-long, multi-county manhunt.
-
Commissioners pay to get the business
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $15,000 contract with Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County to provide business service representation on behalf of the county’s One-Stop job training center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
