2 firefighters injured, 10 to 13 people displaced after Mansfield double house fire
Emily Mills
MANSFIELD - Three people, including two Mansfield firefighters, were injured and 10 to 13 people were displaced after two house fires Sunday morning just south of downtown.
The house fires were at 296/298 S. Main St. and 300 S. Main St, at the corner of South Main Street and Florence Avenue and just south of the Ohio 13/U.S. 42 split, said Mansfield Fire Assistant Chief Jim Bishop.
The Mansfield Fire Department initially received a report of a structure fire at 300 S. Main St. at 9:21 a.m. Sunday, with all occupants out of the house, Bishop said.
When crews arrived, they found heavy fire at the rear of the house, Bishop said. The fire later spread to 296/298 S. Main St., he said.
Two Mansfield firefighters are being treated at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for respiratory injuries. One person, whom Bishop described as a civilian, is also being treated at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for unknown injuries.
Bishop said the fire appeared to have started in the carport of 300 S. Main St., although the investigation continues into the fire's origin.
Bishop said 296/298 S. Main St. was a vacant house, while 300 S. Main St. was occupied by 10 to 13 people. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants, Bishop said.
Bishop described the damage throughout both houses as "extensive," with flame and heat damage at the rear of both houses.
Bishop said he did not know if the houses were total losses but said "it wouldn't surprise me" if the houses had to be demolished.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, which will be completed by the Mansfield Fire Department's fire prevention unit.
According to a Mansfield police report, a 32-year-old man said he woke up after smelling smoke and saw "flames shooting up toward the back of the residence," according to a Mansfield police report.
The police report lists eight people were in the house and all got out safely.
The fire department was on the scene for just under four hours Sunday, Bishop said.
ejmills@mansfieldnewsjournal.com
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Twitter: @EmilyMills818