Multiple fire departments respond to fatal fire in Allensburg

By Branden Jackman
Public Information Officer
Paint Creek Joint EMS & Fire District,
Lynchburg Area Joint Fire & Ambulance District

At 4:13 a.m. Saturday, March 28, firefighting crews were dispatched from Lynchburg Area Joint Fire & Ambulance District to the area of U.S. 50 in Allensburg, just east of S.R. 135.

There was a report of a possible structure fire with subjects trapped in the home. Automatic mutual aid units were dispatched from Paint Creek Joint EMS & Fire, New Vienna Fire Department, Martinsville Fire Department, & Fayetteville Fire Department.

Units from Lynchburg Fire arrived on scene within nine minutes to find a home heavily engulfed in flames. Entry was attempted, but firefighters were forced from the structure due to the horrendous amount of flames issuing from all sides of the structure.

It was believed that as many as three adults and two children were trapped in the home. It was later ascertained by deputies from the Highland County Sheriff's Department that four of the occupants were accounted for and not present in the home at the time of the fire.

There was still one person unaccounted for after multiple attempts to locate the individual in other locations.

With the heavy fire conditions and instability of the structure fire crews were unable to make an interior fire attack.

Crews from Lynchburg, Fayetteville, and Paint Creek Fire remained on the scene to make a thorough search of the home. 

Unfortunately at this time, one fatality has been confirmed.

The victim’s identity has not been confirmed and no names will be released until confirmation and notification of next of kin has been completed.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, with the investigation being handled by the State of Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office. Units remain on scene for investigation and overhaul. U.S. Route 50 will be closed for an extended period of time and the area should be avoided if traveling.