What began as a routine school field trip turned into a life-saving response Thursday morning, Feb. 5, when Ridgemont Local School District bus drivers and staff helped residents escape a house fire east of Rushsylvania.
The fire was reported at approximately 11:30 a.m. at 3405 E. State Route 273, about three miles east of Rushsylvania.
According to a the Ridgemont Local School Facebook post, K–2 students were returning from a performance of The Little Mermaid at the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine when bus drivers noticed smoke coming from the roof area of a residence.
Drivers stopped and alerted the occupants, while a small group of bus drivers and teachers assisted in helping the individuals exit the home safely. At the time, the fire was not actively raging, and all occupants were able to get out without injury.
School officials said students remained supervised throughout the incident and were never in danger. Once those individuals were safely outside, the buses continued on their route.
Initial reports from the scene indicated no one was home at the time firefighters arrived. A neighbor told crews that an elderly resident and four dogs lived at the home; however, firefighters reported no sign of an occupant or the dogs during their search.
Multiple departments responded included Richland Township, Rushcreek Township, Huntsville, Bellefontaine, Bokescreek, Kenton, Ridgeway, the Southeast Hardin–Northwest Union Joint Fire District, and a BMRT squad.
One firefighter said the living area of the single-story, vinyl-sided home appeared largely untouched by the fire, with the majority of the damage concentrated in the attic area. Smoke damage was reported throughout the home.
The cause and origin of the fire had yet to be determined Thursday afternoon, and damage estimates were not immediately available, Richland Township Fire Chief Jason Johns said late Thursday afternoon.
Smoke damage was reported throughout the home.
Chief Johns said he considers the home a total loss, noting that the roof was completely destroyed.
Bellefontaine Fire Department’s new Ladder Truck 21 was pressed into service at the scene. Its ladder bucket was extended over the roof so firefighters could cut holes in the roof to access the blaze and put out hot spots.
The home is owned by Rita Rowe, according to Logan County Auditor’s Office records.
Firefighters remained on scene into the afternoon and S.R. 273 at S.R. 274 remained closed to traffic during the incident.
The Ridgemont Local Schools Facebook post is below.
