
Official statement from Cincinnati Fire Department
Originally uploaded by hjoew
This is Fire Captain, Michael A. Washington reporting two multiple
alarm fires in Over-the-Rhine. Today at 3:17 PM the Cincinnati Fire
Communications center received a telephone call reporting a structure
fire at 1801 Elm Street which is directly across the street from the
historical Findley Market. 1801 Elm Street is a three-story brick
building with an attic.
Initial arriving fire units encountered a fire on the third floor as
well as in the attic space. Due to the heavy wind conditions today,
pieces of burning debris scattered through the air landing on adjacent
structures, causing fires in other structures. The incident commander
upgraded this fire to a second alarm, and subsequently a third alarm
due to the fire in multiple buildings. The incident commander ordered
all firefighters out of the structures due to fire conditions; a
defensive firefighting attack was established.
During the height of this incident, six buildings were involved in
fire. Fifty-two firefighters were summons to this incident, there were
no injuries reported to firefighters are civilians. Damaged is
estimated at $200,000 dollars, the cause is listed as “Undetermined”
the Cincinnati Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit is
investigating this fire.
Just several blocks away, at 1438 Walnut Street a structure fire was
reported to the Fire Communications Center. 1438 Walnut Street is a
three-story brick building in close proximity to several other
buildings. Due to the high winds, fire was able to move into the
adjacent buildings. The incident commander at this fire, upgraded to a
second alarm for additional staffing. This fire was also fought
defensively, with firefighters operating on the outside of the
buildings.
There were no firefighters are civilian injuries reported at this
fire, damage is estimated at $250,000 dollars. The cause is currently
listed as “Undetermined” the Cincinnati Fire Department’s Fire
Investigation Unit is investigating this fire.