Yesterday night in Fairfield, a fire erupted in a condominium on Gelhot Drive, leading to the hospitalization of three individuals and the displacement of thirteen residents—according to the reports from FOX19 NOW. Flames were reported around 10 p.m. in the 12-unit building, with Fairfield Fire Chief Tom Lakamp and Deputy Fire Chief Steve Conn indicating that the fire had started in a second-story unit.
Rescue efforts were immediately underway as fire teams were informed en route that residents were trapped inside. They arrived to find one individual on a third-floor landing coughing, and they evacuated the resident using ladders. They rescued several others from balconies, officials from the fire department stated. The three hospitalized residents are currently stabilized with injuries deemed non-life-threatening. Despite the initially harrowing situation where firefighters faced the daunting task of rescuing trapped residents and extinguishing the blaze, the fire was contained to a single unit, WLWT reports.
Deputy Chief Conn says authorities, still investigating the cause, have described the fire's origination as accidental. Because of the extensive smoke damage across the entire structure, none of the residents can return for now. The American Red Cross has stepped in to assist the displaced. Along with Fairfield's fire department, assistance arrived from six other agencies, including West Chester Township, Fairfield Township, Colerain Township, Hamilton, Springdale, and Forest Park.
While details on how the fire broke out remain under investigation, Local12 provided information that the Red Cross was summoned to the scene to aid those afflicted by the late-night residential fire.
