A fire tore through an occupied double on East 115th Street just north of St. Clair Avenue on Wednesday morning, sending Cleveland firefighters to a second-floor blaze that had already pushed into the attic. Three adults escaped on their own and are now being assisted by the American Red Cross, while two family dogs were found dead inside, and a kitten was pulled from the burning home. Officials have called the blaze accidental, and early coverage put the damage at roughly $150,000, according to WOIO.
What local coverage reported
Local television coverage reported that firefighters arrived to find flames on the second floor and worked to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring units. The three residents made it out and are being helped by the Red Cross. The station also reported that two dogs died in the fire and that officials estimated about $150,000 in losses, details reported by WOIO.
Photos from the department
The Cleveland Division of Fire shared photos of crews working the scene and said the fire started on the second floor before extending into the attic. In a Facebook post, the department said two dogs were found deceased, a kitten was rescued from the structure, and the occupants were already out when firefighters arrived. That update echoed the roughly $150,000 damage estimate first reported by WOIO; see the account from the Cleveland Division of Fire.
Conflicting details about the kitten
Not every outlet agreed on the kitten's fate. WOIO reported that one kitten had died, while a separate account from WJW and photos shared by the Cleveland Division of Fire show the animal being rescued. The conflicting reports are a reminder of how quickly information can shift during an active incident, and the fire department's post offers the clearest on-the-ground snapshot so far. Officials have not yet publicly resolved that discrepancy, and this story will be updated if they provide further clarification.
Red Cross resources for displaced residents
The American Red Cross of Northern Ohio is assisting the displaced adults. The organization maintains a Northern Ohio page with contact information, disaster recovery tools, and other resources for people affected by home fires and similar emergencies. For more on available services and how to reach local aid, visit the American Red Cross of Northern Ohio.
Investigation and next steps
The Cleveland Division of Fire said the blaze was accidental and that investigators will continue to review the scene, according to the Cleveland Division of Fire. Initial losses were put at about $150,000, a figure first reported by WOIO and later reflected in the department's update. Early coverage did not report any civilian injuries, and crews also did not report firefighter injuries. City officials used the incident as a fresh reminder to check smoke alarms, make sure batteries are working and have a clear escape plan in place. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
