APARTMENT FIRE DISPLACES FAMILIES

Lorain – An afternoon fire in Lorain has left several families displaced and wondering if they will ever return to the place they called home.

Captain Jeff Fenn of the Lorain Fire Department said they received multiple calls of a building on fire at the corner of Broadway and 31st Street. “When we arrived on the scene there were multiple people on a balcony on the north side of the building – our immediate concern was to get them off that balcony and out of danger. There were two people, one was an off-duty Lorain Firefighter and the other was a business owner from the first floor Mike Wilhelm, were able to get one person down using a make shift ladder. At that time our Tower Crew came in and stacked a ladder and got the rest of the people down safely – at the same time the crew from Pumper One advanced an inch and three quarter attack line into the building. They were able to find the seed of the fire and extinguish it and then we went into an extensive over haul.”

Although Captain Fenn did not know building codes off the top of his head in reference to balconies having ladders attached – he believes they should have them. “I can’t say – yeah, there should have been one there legally – but it’s just basic principal that if it’s an exterior door, there should be a way down to the ground.”

There are four apartments on the second floor of the building, three were occupied and one was empty. The fire originated in the empty apartment. Two of the occupants requested help from the American Red Cross while the others will stay with family.

The Lorain Fire Department is calling the fire suspicious and are investigating.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE