This morning's blaze in East Price Hill has sent one woman to the hospital and displaced two families, totaling 11 people. Firefighters were called to the scene on Purcell Avenue around 5 a.m. today. They encountered formidable challenges due to heavy snow obscuring fire hydrants and complicating their access to the water supply. According to WLWT, a 39-year-old woman was transported to the hospital with injuries, including smoke inhalation.
Among the victims were nine children and two adults who were forced to evacuate in the harsh, wintry conditions. Acting District Fire Chief Andrew Herbert revealed that the fire broke out on the 3rd floor of the apartment and, in a statement obtained by Local12, confirmed that the woman's injuries were non-life-threatening. However, the response effort was not entirely without casualty. A firefighter incurred minor injuries and had to be treated quickly.
Local reports from WLWT detailed the intensity of the snowy conditions, imparting advice from firefighters that residents could assist emergency services by keeping local hydrants clear of snow. The Red Cross has stepped in to aid the displaced residents, including securing shelter, as they reckon with the aftermath. Additionally, two black cats that resided within the apartment are missing post-incident.
As the community begins to recover, officials continue to investigate to ascertain the cause of the fire. The apartment, now charred and uninhabitable, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability fostered by the absence of smoke detectors, as none were found in the home, according to FOX19. The damage toll has been estimated at $190,000. Despite the swift suppression of the fire, achieved by 5:20 a.m., the incident has unmistakably imprinted upon the lives of those affected, illustrating that the fabric of a community can be tested and resiliently held as neighbors gather to support one another amid trial.
