Fire displaces 12

TIFFIN — A fire broke out at The University Apartments, 186 E. Market St., Tuesday evening, displacing 12 residents. At about 6:19 p.m. Tuesday, the Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division responded to a reported fire at the apartments. "Upon arrival within three minutes of the initial call, fire crews encountered a large amount of fire extending from a first-floor apartment through an open exterior stairwell and reaching the roof of the three-story building," said Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division Chief Rob Chappell in a press release. He explained that the apartment complex has three stories, including a main floor that serves as garden-level apartments. Each floor contains four apartments, and according to Chappell, eight units were occupied at the time of the fire. "Crews swiftly worked to extinguish the exterior fire and initiated a search for victims while checking for fire extension within the building," he continued. "Despite their rapid response, several apartments sustained significant fire damage. The challenging sub-zero temperatures and high winds contributed to the fire's rapid spread, creating hazardous conditions for firefighters and residents alike." Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division, Fostoria Fire Division and Bascom Joint Fire District worked at the scene for over two hours. Seneca County CERT, Tiffin Police Department, Red Cross, AEP and Aqua provided additional support. "Their combined efforts ensured the safety of all residents and the containment of the fire," Chappell concluded. "The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents with temporary shelter and other needs. The Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division commends the bravery and dedication of all responders who worked under extremely challenging conditions to bring the incident under control." Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division has smoke detectors available for people living within city limits. To inquire about smoke detectors, call the department's non-emergency line at 419-448-5444. Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the A-T asked Chappell to provide safety tips on staying warm during extreme temperatures. "During these winter months, we would like to remind everyone of some safety tips. If you use a space heater, always leave 3 feet of open area around it," he said. "Never use an extension cord, rather plug it directly into the wall outlet. Never leave a space heater running without someone in the room with it. If your home has appliances that use natural gas or propane, the use of a carbon monoxide detector is critical."