Fire damages Circular Street home

TIFFIN — A house fire was reported early Tuesday morning in the 400 block of Circular St. The Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division was dispatched at approximately 1:45 a.m. to a reported structure fire on Circular Street, with 911 calls indicating flames on the back porch of the home and possible involvement of a fence. Upon arrival, the release states, "crews found heavy fire on a rear addition, with flames spreading into the soffit and roofline." The fire was brought under control, and firefighters conducted "extensive overhaul operations to extinguish concealed fire in the roof and ceiling," it states. Tiffin police officers arrived first at the scene, helping to evacuate residents and one of two dogs. Tiffin Fire Chief Rob Chappell said two individuals were home at the time of the fire, and both were evacuated safely. The second dog at the residence was "safely located and removed by firefighters during the response," the release states. Chappell said the fire is considered accidental, possibly being caused by discarded remnants from a BBQ grill being placed too close in proximity to the house. The release states estimated property damage from the fire is $50,000, with an additional $10,000 in content losses. One nearby vehicle sustained heat damage, it states. Chappell said sound from an arcing electrical line outside the home likely alerted neighbors to the fire, prompting calls to 911. "This is another strong reminder of the importance of working smoke alarms in every home," he said. "Every second matters." The scene was cleared and turned back over to the homeowner at approximately 4 a.m., the release states. Tiffin Fire/Rescue was assisted at the scene by Seneca County EMS and the Tiffin Police Department. Neighbor calls 911 Jodi Zirger, next-door neighbor to the property that caught fire, said she awoke at 1:30 a.m. to a popping sound that sounded "like a little explosion." She looked out back and saw sparks and flames at the neighbor's house. "I knew their house was on fire," Zirger said. She promptly called 911 and ran to the neighbor's house, banging on their door and yelling. "I felt my adrenaline flowing." At that point, police arrived and the home's residents were evacuated. Zirger is happy and grateful for the safe outcome for her neighbors. Zirger, a teacher for Tiffin City Schools, said the experience is a reminder for her students to always pay attention to fire safety lessons, and to "use what you've learned." She was able to respond quickly to the event based on fire safety plans she and her family had in place.