‘Total loss;’ 2 people hospitalized, 11 displaced after house fire in Dayton

DAYTON — Just days before Thanksgiving, a house fire in Dayton has forced nearly a dozen people out of their homes.

The fire started in a house in the 200 block of North Irwin Street around 10:15 a.m. and firefighters were on scene for hours battling the fire as it spread to nearby homes.

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News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis said Dayton Firefighters had to call in mutual aid because of the scope of the fire as dark gray smoke could be seen from blocks away.

The flames were ferocious up close for firefighters.

“We had a wind driven house fire,” said Tyler McCoy, Dayton Fire Department Captain.

The fire started in a house on North Irwin Street and spread to other homes, according to McCoy.

“The house to the left and right sustained damage and also two houses across the street sustained damage because of the amount of fire,” he said. “The wind was pushing embers all around the neighborhood.”

The house where the fire originated is considered a total loss. Two of the homes next to it sustained damage. One had damage to the roof while the other had damage along its side.

Demo crews tore down what was left of the house where the fire started.

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Two people inside that house made it out and were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries, McCoy said.

“Anytime there is an occupied house fire, it’s said for that family,” he told Lewis. “That’s why we do our best to get here as fast as we can to put the fire out and try to stop the fire from doing any more damage.”

Crews were also taking precautions due to cold temperatures Saturday.

“We don’t want our crews slipping, getting,” said McCoy. “We are taking the extra precaution for the safety of our members.”

A total of five homes were damaged and 11 people were displaced. The Red Cross is helping those displaced.

Lewis says crews arrived on scene after 10:00 a.m. and well into the afternoon trying to get things under control.

“Just due to the amount of fire and so many houses were involved, we’ve been having a longer time overhauling everything making sure all the fire is put out,” McCoy said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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