Reported by: Tom McKee
Fire investigators said Thursday that a heat gun or torch used to strip paint may be the cause of Wednesday's massive fire in Indian Hill.
Overall, 11 firefighters were hurt fighting the inferno on Cunningham Road.
Five of them – burned in a flashover or backdraft – remain hospitalized at University Hospital, in good or fair condition.
911 Call tape:
911 Dispatch:
"911 emergency. Dispatcher Ross."
Jim Jaeger, homeowner:
"This is Jim Jaeger, 9550 Cunningham Road, Indian Hill. Our house is on fire, third floor."
That call Wednesday night brought over 75 firefighters from a dozen Tri-state departments to the Jaeger home Wednesday night.
He told fire officials that workers had been removing paint at the 75-year-old house and that might be a key clue in the investigation.
"We are highly suspicious that it was related to the paint stripping operation. however, we do not know that for sure," said Chief Steve Ashbrock, of the Madeira-Indian Hill fire department, in a press conference Thursday.
Ashbrock says that might have involved a heat gun or torch.
"You get an overheated piece of wood. It sits and smolders. It expands into that attic. It burns unnoticed," explained Chief Ashbrock.
If that was the cause of the fire, six firefighters nearly died because of it.
Those still hospitalized had a steady stream of visitors Thursday for one reason.
"We're brothers and sisters," said John Stager. "We live with them. We spend the majority of our time at the firehouse with our fellow brothers and sisters."
Jennifer SutSutphen knows that feeling very well.
Her father was one of the burned firefighters and has several relatives in the fire service.
"I have grown up in the fire department all my life," said Sutphen. "So, I've got quite a few 'dads' out there."
That's why she's so moved by the strong show of support.
"I want to say that we're all thankful that they are alive and doing so well," said Sutphen.
Bobby Foppe has twice the understanding.
His son, Drew, and grandson, Bobby, were both burned and hospitalized.
"The fire department is always family," said Foppe. "And regardless of whose son it is or whose daughter or wife, people in the community support the fire department 100%."
