A house fire Wednesday night on Mirabeau Street in Greenfield gave firefighters a run for their money, but left no injuries in its wake.
According to Bill Strain, interim chief for the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District, the call about the blaze was received about 7:45 p.m., with firefighters soon arriving at 808 Mirabeau St.
Strain said the six people living in the rented home all escaped without injury. The Red Cross was called in to assist the residents.
Paint Creek Public Information Officer Branden Jackman said that when first responders arrived they reported smoke coming from the eaves, but no “active flame.”
Over an hour after firefighters arrived, bright flames were visible through the roof of the structure.
Strain said the fire was difficult to tackle because of the different construction styles and voids in the house.
Jackman said “balloon frame” construction, which leaves open spaces from basement to roof, allowed the fire to go up to the attic quickly. A partial collapse of the roof cut off a stairway and access to the second floor, he said. With that and the instability of the structure, Jackman said a ladder truck was called in to battle the fire from above.
Firefighters were eventually able to bring the blaze under control between 10:30 and 11 p.m., Strain said. It was about 1 a.m. before firefighters cleared the scene.
Strain said there was “extensive fire and water damage” to the structure and it is likely a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though Strain said it does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
Gerald Jones is listed as the home’s owner, according to Jackman, and Tonya Cox listed as the home’s renter.
All three Paint Creek stations responded, with a ladder truck coming in from Hillsboro. The Wayne Township and Concord-Green Fire Departments from Fayette County, as well as Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District out of Leesburg responded with mutual aid.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
