DEFIANCE — Two people died in an early-morning house fire in Defiance on Tuesday, according to Defiance Fire and Rescue.
Fire Chief Shawn Wittkop said crews were dispatched at 4:12 a.m. to 241 Ruth Ann Drive after a resident at the end of the cul-de-sac called the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 center.
Firefighters arrived at 4:18 a.m., and automatic mutual aid was requested from the Noble Township, South Richland and Highland Township fire departments.
A Defiance police officer reached the scene before fire crews and tried to warn those inside. The officer was checked for smoke inhalation and was not injured.
When crews arrived, the home was fully involved. Firefighters began with a transitional attack and attempted to move to an interior operation, but the extent of the fire and a roof collapse prevented entry. Crews shifted to defensive operations at 4:28 a.m.
One occupant was alerted and escaped before firefighters arrived. Two other adults were unaccounted for and believed to be in an upstairs bedroom.
The fire was brought under control at 6:41 a.m. The home sustained heavy damage, and no firefighter injuries were reported.
Defiance Fire and Rescue requested assistance from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office. Investigators said the fire appears to have started in a front room of the house, but the cause remains under investigation.
The two deceased adults were removed from the home Tuesday morning. They had not been identified as of the department’s press release and were reported to have been found in an upstairs bedroom on the back side of the structure.
The Defiance County Coroner’s Office is handling the case, and the bodies will be transported to Lucas County for autopsies.
“Our community endured the loss of two individuals this morning,” Wittkop said, asking residents to support the family, firefighters, police and assisting agencies.
He also urged residents to check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working in their homes.