A fire in Middleport, Ohio, resulted in the partial collapse of two buildings and damage to a third, raising concerns about aging structures and fire safety in older construction.
According to local emergency officials, the fire broke out late Thursday morning at a three-story building along North Second Avenue in Meigs County. The blaze quickly spread to an adjacent structure, complicating firefighting efforts and increasing the extent of the damage.
Fire crews from multiple departments responded to the scene and worked for several hours to contain the fire. Authorities confirmed that both buildings suffered partial collapse as the fire intensified.
Officials said the condition and age of the buildings played a significant role in how quickly the fire spread and caused structural failure.
“The age and condition of these buildings, it rapidly extended to the B side exposure,” said Jeff Darst. “We’ve actually had some brands that blew across the street into that garage back there, and it started a couple of fires in it. Right now, they’re unsafe to go into, so we’re just pouring water on them.”
Due to the instability of the structures, firefighters were unable to enter the buildings during portions of the response and instead focused on defensive firefighting tactics from a safe distance.
No civilian injuries have been reported, though one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at the scene. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the buildings were occupied at the time the fire started.
Multiple fire departments, including crews from surrounding communities, assisted in the response effort to bring the situation under control.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Authorities say the incident remains under review, and additional details will be released as the investigation progresses.
The fire underscores ongoing challenges related to maintaining and protecting older structures, particularly in smaller communities where aging buildings may be more vulnerable to rapid fire spread and structural collapse.
Originally reported by Jessica Patterson, Sarah Davis in Wowktv
.png)
.png)
