In a tense few minutes on Sunday night, neighbors in College Hill pulled a resident with a disability from a burning house near Lantana and Marlowe avenues, getting them out just in time and leaving six people temporarily displaced.
The fire broke out late Sunday and drew multiple Cincinnati Fire Department units to the scene. Firefighters knocked down the flames and officials said the family’s home would be uninhabitable for at least the night.
According to WKRC, crews were called to the corner of Lantana and Marlowe around 9 p.m. after initial reports of people trapped inside. Cincinnati Fire Department Assistant Chief Matthew Flagler told the station that one person inside the home has a disability and that neighbors worked to get that person out before firefighters arrived. The station reported that six people were displaced and that investigators remained on scene to determine the cause.
College Hill Has Seen Multiple Recent Blazes
Sunday’s fire was not an isolated incident for College Hill. WCPO earlier reported a house fire on N. Lynnebrook Drive that left one person displaced, and WLWT covered an early morning blaze on the 1600 block of Marlowe Avenue that displaced five people and sent one person to the hospital. Taken together, those incidents highlight recurring fire risks in the neighborhood and how much difference a quick community response can make.
Officials Urge Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans
Officials said investigators were working to determine what started the Sunday night fire. The Cincinnati Fire Department recommends working smoke alarms on every level of a home and a practiced escape plan, in line with the city’s fire safety guidance. City of Cincinnati materials note that smoke detectors should be tested monthly and batteries changed regularly to reduce the risk of tragedy.
Neighbors’ quick action was credited with getting the resident to safety before crews could enter, and no injuries were reported. Investigators are expected to release more information when the probe is complete, and officials asked anyone with information to contact authorities.
