HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE

Sheffield Township – The fire that ripped through a McKinley Street home in Sheffield Township Tuesday afternoon took 27 Firefighters from 6 Departments 3 hours to knock down.

Chief Joseph Bandagski of the Sheffield Township Fire Department said that they received multiple calls from neighbors reporting the fire at 2:35 P.M. “The callers were saying that they saw black smoke billowing from the windows and heavy flames. We were also told initially that there might be a 17 year old still in the home. When we arrived our Firefighters approached the front door and entered the structure only about 5 feet for a search but because of the extent of the fire and smoke they were pulled out. The ceilings and the entire first floor itself were collapsing. We deemed right away that the structure was not safe at all for Firefighters to enter so we went on a defensive attack pretty quick.”

Chief Bandagski said that the family arrived within a couple minutes and advised them that nobody was inside the home; all family members were accounted for.

The home was fully involved when Firefighters arrived with smoke and flames rolling out of windows and doors. Sheffield Village and Elyria Township Fire Departments responded on the first call of the fire under an automatic mutual aid response. Lorain Fire Department was called to respond with their Mobile Air Supply Unit. This truck is equipped with a cascade system where they can refill Firefighters SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) on scene and turn bottles around within minutes. Amherst and South Amherst Fire Departments responded with tankers to help feed water to Sheffield Township’s truck.

Chief Bandagski said that three adults who are now being taken care of by the American Red Cross had occupied the home. “The Red Cross was called in right away and they will work with the family and make sure that they are taken care of in way of housing, clothing and food – whatever they need, the Red Cross I’m sure will help them.”

The Chief said that with the magnitude of the fire they were dealing with today he was happy to report that there were no injuries to any of the 27 Firefighters that were on scene battling the blaze.

Lorain County Fire Investigators have been called in and have begun their investigation into the cause of the blaze but at this hour it still remains undetermined.

To see all photos from the scene: CLICK HERE