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A frantic caller to Miami County’s Communication Center told a dispatcher at 11:08 p.m. that the fire was on the back porch and then spreading into the kitchen and beyond in the two-story house. She said a pregnant woman and small child were among those still inside.
A 16-year-old-neighbor boy who came on the phone a short time later told the dispatcher a boy age 11 or 12 was unaccounted for. Deputies asked for notification of Coroner Dr. William Ginn around 2:30 a.m.
>>PHOTOS: Boy, 12, dies in Miami County house fire
The cause of the fire is under investigation by sheriff’s office fire investigators and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Duchak said several people were inside the residence, with some forced to jump from windows or go onto the roof. The Bradford Fire Department responded and said three people were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries. Bradford firefighters were assisted at the fire scene by firefighters and equipment from Covington, Versailles and Piqua.
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Bradford Fire Chief Jan Mottinger said this was the second fatal fire he remembers in the village in his 55 years with the department.
“We have been pretty fortunate,” he said Tuesday morning.
The last fatality, also a child, was in 1969 or 1970, Mottinger said.
Kaleb Huff was a student at Bradford Elementary School.
“Our hearts go out to the Huff family and the Bradford community,” said Bradford schools Superintendent Joe Hurst. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students. Our condolences go out to the Huff family in this difficult time. Kaleb will be truly missed.”
The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, the Tri-County Crisis Response Team and Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio were working with the Bradford Local School District and the community to help them through the death of a young community member, said Brad Reed, Tri-County Board community resource development/public information officer.
A warmline is being made available to those who want to debrief privately with a counselor while the Crisis Response Team is working with school officials to use their learning platform to meet with students as a group and help them process their grief, he said.
The district crisis response team is putting together supports for students and staff, Hurst said. Counselors and administrators will talk with staff and classmates through online platforms. Those wanting to talk are asked to call the school office to talk with a counselor or make an appointment.