Blaze engulfs South Amherst home

by JOHN LASKO

News-Times reporter

Firefighters from four area fire departments assisted South Amherst crews battling a raging house fire on Erie Street Friday.

The call came in around 3:05 p.m. after the homeowner saw flames coming from the roof of his home at 211 Erie Street. By the time a South Amherst fire engine staffed with five firefighters arrived on scene, the house was engulfed in flames.

The departments who responded for mutual aid included:

* The Amherst Fire Department sent Engine 52 -- their mutual aid engine -- to the scene with a crew of four firefighters..

* Oberlin sent one engine staffed with five firefighters.

* Florence Township also provided an engine, and three firefighters.

* The Elyria Township Fire Department sent an engine staffed with four firefighters to staff the South Amherst Fire Department while they were on-scene battling the heavy smoke and flames.

Firefighters were on scene for nearly three hours, except for South Amherst who stayed behind for another three hours putting out hot spots which rekindled.

"The house had major smoke damage throughout the house and probably a quarter to a half which has been physically burnt," South Amherst fire chief Al Schmitz said. "The house cannot currently be occupied until major repairs are done."

The family of four is staying with relatives and the Lorain County chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting them with clothing and other necessities.

Schmitz estimates the fire caused about $175,000 damage.

Other homes near the house were spared significant damage.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters.

Schmitz's department, along with Lorain County fire investigators, are still trying to determine what started the blaze.