No people injured, but dog, cat die in fire

Multiple departments responded to a structure fire on Feb. 9 in Elyria Township.

At about 12:30 p.m., Elyria Township Fire Department responded to a working structure fire at a residence in the 6500 block of Lake Avenue

Firefighters arrived on scene to an older style residential home under heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the home.

According to Elyria Township Fire Chief Michael A. Holtzman, firefighters attacked the blaze from the rear of the structure and encountered heavy smoke and fire in the basement and first before they were able to get it under control.

The residence was unoccupied at the time the fire broke and there no reported injuries to fire personnel. However, Holtzman said one dog and one cat died and firefighters were able to rescue another dog from the residence.

The structure was home to one resident who lived in the basement and a family who occupied the first and second floors.

Due to the damage it is unclear whether the fire started in the basement or first floor and remains under investigation.

Holtzman said the combination of heavy smoke and fire and the structure being an older building presented some difficulties. After attempting entry through the front door firefighters were forced to attack from the rear where they were able to get the blaze under control.

Elyria Township received mutual aid assistance from Sheffield Township, Sheffield Village, Sheffield Lake, Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake and Elyria.

KEITH REYNOLDS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Firefighters respond to a structure fire in the 6500 block of Lake Avenue in Elyria Township.