“While we were en route we were told that it was an entrapment,” said Turtlecreek Twp. Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Elleman. “When we arrived on scene we had heavy fire inside the house.”
Dispatch said a second alarm was called out for the fire, which typically refers to a fire at which assistance is requested from other fire departments.
“Unfortunately we did have one fatality, and we had one injury that was treated on scene for smoke inhalation,” Elleman said.
It’s the first fatal fire in Turtlecreek Twp. this year.
There was one person inside the house, and the person who was treated for smoke inhalation was a family member trying to rescue the victim, the assistant chief said.
It is not clear if the person treated for smoke inhalation lived at the house.
Elleman said he understands people wanting to help rescue a loved one, but noted it’s a dangerous situation.
“Obviously we want to get people out but we don’t want to have multiple victims,” he said.
It appears the fire started on the first floor, and the deceased was on the second floor. Crews were able to knock down the fire within 10 to 15 minutes, Elleman said.
It’s not clear if the house had working smoke detectors.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
In additional to Turtlecreek Twp., fire crews from Lebanon, Clearcreek Twp., Franklin Twp. and Waynesville also responded.
We are working to learn more and will update this story as information is available.
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