Pataskala house fire Saturday evening resulted in one resident and a firefighter being hospitalized, according to the West Licking Joint Fire District.
Pataskala House Fire: Pataskala House Fire Leaves Resident, Firefighter Hospitalized
1 person and a firefighter were hospitalized Saturday evening after a house fire in Pataskala, according to the West Licking Joint Fire District.
Fire crews were called just after 5 p.m. to a home in the 4800 block of Columbia Road SW for what was initially reported as a structure fire. Assistant Fire Chief Joe Krouse said about 60 firefighters from multiple departments ultimately responded after the incident was upgraded to a two-alarm working fire.
Crews arrived to find a basement fire that had spread to the first floor of the home. About 25 firefighters were on scene during the initial response, with additional units requested as the fire intensified.
Firefighters were able to remove one person who was trapped inside the house. Fire Chief Jack Treinish said the resident was transported to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The individual’s condition was not immediately known.
A firefighter who was part of the first responding crew was taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital for treatment and was later released. Officials said another occupant was already outside the home when crews arrived.
Fire officials said the house was a total loss, with parts of the structure collapsing after the resident was rescued. Krouse noted that severe winter weather made firefighting efforts more difficult.
“The cold is definitely an impact,” Krouse said. “Hoses begin to freeze, firefighters are exposed to ice as water flows, and deep snow slows movement and increases the risk of slipping.”
Several departments assisted at the scene, including Jefferson Township, Violet Township, and Columbus Fire crews. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office was also notified.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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