1 firefighter, 1 resident injured in West Chester apartment fire

VIDEO: West Chester fire and police responded to a large fire at an apartment building overnight. Crews responded to the Union Station Apartments on Meeting Street for reports of a structure fire around midnight. When crews arrived, the fire had spread to three floors of the structure and the attic. Firefighters were able to put out the fires on the first three floors relatively quickly, but were concerned the attic fire might cause the roof to collapse. Firefighters from neighboring districts responded to assist in fighting the fire. In total, 100 firefighters were on the scene battling the fire. The building was evacuated, but one person was transported to West Chester Hospital due to smoke inhalation. A firefighter was also taken to the hospital due to the extensive heat caused by the fire.
WLWT-TV NBC 5 Cincinnati

2 injured in fire at Oak Hill Apartments, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department says

VIDEO: Two people were injured in an apartment fire in the 3000 block of Hill Avenue during a fire Saturday, officials say. According to officials, one victim was being treated by life squad for smoke inhalation and the second victim was struggling to breathe from smoke inhalation but declined treatment. Officials say the fire started in the top of the apartment spreading to the attic. The fire was mostly contained to the attic, but it did cause some damage to the surrounding units. TFRD Chief Allison Armstrong says the fire was quickly extinguished thanks to the early call to 911. “Fire crews on scene did an amazing job of stopping this fire, and it could have been much worse, and then the people that called 911 quickly helped us arrive on scene and be able to do that.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
WTVG-TV ABC/CW 13 Toledo

Bridge dedicated to first responders in Howland

VIDEO: It was a day of dedication in Howland on Saturday. First responders were honored after the naming of one of the township bridges, “Howland First Responders Bridge.” At the dedication were the Trumbull County Engineer, Howland Township Trustees, local police and fire department personnel, along with members of Howland American Legion Post 700. “It is highly deserved because of their duty,” said Commander John Turner. “We are proud to have done this for them. We respect them for what they do every day, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.” The bridge is located on North River Road Northeast next to the Howland Road Department.
WKBN-TV CBS 27 Youngstown

Groveport Madison students evacuated after bus catches fire

PHOTOS: A Groveport Madison bus driver was forced to evacuate students after a fire broke out on their bus. In a social media post, the Madison Township Police Department confirmed its officers and local fire personnel responded to a report of a Groveport Madison School Bus that had caught fire on Thursday. A photo from the scene shows the bus consumed by flames, with a thick cloud of smoke rising above it. Another image shows the bus scorched after the fire had been put out. The bus driver evacuated students after noticing smoke rising from the engine area, according to the police department. No one was harmed by the fire.
WCMH-TV NBC 4 Columbus

Wood County officials hope to ‘flip the switch’ on new 911 center for August

PHOTOS: Officials are tentatively scheduling the opening of the new Wood County 911 Center in early August. Wood County officials, representatives of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, Camden Clark Ambulance Service, St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service and others toured the 18,000-square-foot facility at the former Suddenlink building near Interstate 77 and U.S. 50 Thursday morning. Wood County 911 Director Mike Shook said they are hoping “to flip the switch” on Aug. 1 to move operations to the new center from where they have been at the old 911 center on Core Road. However, that will depend on getting the building’s systems in place. A lot of the building’s furniture is expected to arrive in June. An array of antennas is expected to be installed soon onsite as well as the building’s specialized phone system.
Marietta Times - Metered Site

Ohio fire investigators ask public for tips, videos to help solve arson cases

Almost half of the 330 fires investigated this year by the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau have been ruled arson. As of May 6, state investigators had determined 145 fires throughout Ohio were intentionally set. On Thursday, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said it is intensifying efforts to prevent arson and solve arson-related cases. “Arson is a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens,” said Josh Hobbs, Chief of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau. “We are committed to using every resource available to find those responsible.” Rewards of up to $10,000 are being offered for information or evidence that “significantly aids” investigators or leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist. Hobbs said even the smallest details can be just what investigators need to get arsonists arrested and off the street.
WOIO-TV CBS 19 Cleveland