FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Firefighters rescued two people from second floor balconies, including a woman in a wheelchair, while responding to a fire at an apartment building on Southgate Boulevard.
The Fairfield Fire Department responded to the 16-unit complex at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The fire started in the kitchen of a unit, according to Chief Donald G. Bennett.
He said the fire was contained to a single apartment, but seven other units are uninhabitable because of smoke damage. About 16 people are unable to stay in their apartments, Bennett said. They will be assisted by the American Red Cross.
According to Bennett, investigators will be comparing 911 calls to determine how long the fire had been burning before firefighters arrived at the scene.
"The occupant was in a wheelchair which might have delayed the call," he said. "There was considerable amount of fire based on the response because the primary station is just around the corner."
No one was injured in the fire. Bennett said firefighters rescued two cats at the scene as well.
