MIAMI TWP., Ohio — One person was killed and another was injured Saturday night in a house fire in Miami Township in Clermont County, according to Miami Township Fire & EMS.
Officials said that crews responded to the 330 block of Elm Crest Drive in the Vista Woods Community for a structure fire with reports of people trapped. A 911 caller said one person was pulled from the home, but another person was still inside.
When they arrived, crews found a house with "extensive fire damage," officials said. Firefighters immediately searched the house and located the trapped individual.
After they were extricated, they were pronounced dead, officials said. The person who died has not been identified.
Sue Weddle, a neighbor across the street, was home with her son when the nearby residence was engulfed in flames.
WATCH: Neighbor describes seeing the fire from across the street
“The street was full of fire equipment. I think there was at least four fire trucks going down the road there, right here. Then there was other vehicles, emergency vehicles on the road, too," Weddle said.
Weddle said several neighbors went outside to see what was happening.
“It’s horrible," Weddle said.
Weddle and other neighbors told us they heard multiple booms coming from the house when the fire began.
We asked her about the neighbor she lost in the fire.
“She was a very, very nice lady. She always wanted to help people," Weddle said.
Weddle said she was worried because the fire was so close to her home.
“To see one actually go up in flames that fast, it’s worrisome," Weddle said.
We brought those concerns to Miami Township Fire & EMS Deputy Chief of Operations, Jonathan McKinnish.
“Our guidance to them is all about pre-planning. And so, early detection makes a huge difference," McKinnish said.
The deputy chief said that the most important thing anyone can do, regardless of their living situation, is to be prepared for emergencies.
“Working smoke detectors in the home are what easily identify that there’s a situation that needs mitigated," McKinnish said. "Have an escape plan."
The person who escaped the house was treated on-scene and transported to UC Medical Center via AirCare.
Officials said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office, the Clermont County Fire Investigation Team and the Miami Township Police.
