A structure fire was reported around 9 p.m. Friday, May 30, and it quickly spread to three other neighboring homes on Long Island, Belle Center.
Two homes — 9544 and 9526 Beechwood Cove — were destroyed, and two others — 9558 and 9514 Beechwood Cove — were damaged, firefighters said.
A fire started at 9544 Beechwood Cove and spread, fueled by gusty conditions, to the other residences, according to preliminary reports.
No injuries were reported to the homes’ occupants or to fire personnel, Huntsville Assistant Chief T.J. Weikart said.
A dog reportedly perished in one of the fires.
Richland Township Fire Department was the primary responding department, but Huntsville Fire arrived on scene first and set up incident command.
Occupants of three of the four homes involved in the fires were reportedly out to dinner together at the time of the fires. One of the homeowners at 9558 was home when the fire started next door and called 911.
The cause of the blaze at the 9544 home has yet to be determined. The property is owned by Larry Baker, according to Logan County Auditor’s Office records.
Ronald Orosz is the owner of the 9526 Beechwood Cove property, while Sherri and Donald Fischer own 9558 Beechwood Cove and Daniel Haemmerle owns 9514 Beechwood Cove, according to auditor’s office records.
While damage estimates weren’t immediately available, the combined value of the properties is well over $1 million.
Fire personnel and equipment from Lakeview, Bellefontaine, Indian Joint Fire District, Indian Lake EMS, DeGraff, Quincy, BMRT Ambulance District and possibly others provided mutual aid.
Emergency vehicles and personnel lined the lone road onto the island near the fire scenes.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources personnel pumped water from Indian Lake to help battle the fires.
AES and Centerpoint crews responded to disconnect utilities to the affected homes.
Firefighters remained at the scenes until about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31.
Some of the affected home occupants displaced by the fires are staying with neighbors.
Firefighters from Huntsville and Richland Township and a BMRT squad returned about 7:15 a.m. Saturday, May 31 to 9526 Beechwood Cove where a fire had rekindled.
Aerial and other video footage of the fires is available on the Examiner’s Facebook page.
(Examiner and submitted photos)
