Firefighters battle apartment blaze

Four residents hospitalized, several families displaced

The Avon Lake Fire Department battled a blaze March 13 where four residents were transported to area hospitals and several families displaced, according to a news release from Avon Lake fire Chief Jeremy Betsa.

At 12:41 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 264 Moore Road, Building 4, for a structure fire with residents who were unable to evacuate, the release said.

Upon arrival, Fire Department personnel were met with heavy smoke conditions showing from the west side of the building.

Firefighters attacked the blaze to prevent additional spread of the fire, according to the release.

Residents rescued by ladder

While deploying a fire hose, two residents were found signaling from a bedroom window on the third floor, which was identified as an apartment above the location of fire.

Firefighters placed a ladder to the outside of that window, due to fire conditions inside the structure.

The residents were safely brought down the ladder and out of the building by Avon Lake firefighters, the release said.

Smoke inhalation

Four residents were transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation injuries, the release said.

Late afternoon March 13, the victims' conditions were stable, and their names were not released, officials said.

Avon Lake responded with four vehicles: an engine; a ladder; a command vehicle; and the chief's vehicle.

Avon, Sheffield Lake, Sheffield Village, Elyria Township, North Ridgeville, Bay Village, Westlake, Fairview Park and LifeCare Ambulance provided mutual aid, as did Avon Lake Police Department, the release said.

The Lorain County Fire Investigation Unit and the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office were contacted to assist with the investigation of the cause and the fire's origin, according to the release.

Initial information points to the fire starting in the kitchen, possibly related to cooking, the release said.

It is estimated the Red Cross is assisting six families that will be temporarily displaced by the fire, the release said.

There were no injuries to firefighters and no damage to equipment during this incident. There is no estimation of monetary loss at this time.