By Cliff Pinckard
cleveland.com
DAYTON, Ohio — The bodies of five people were found Wednesday in what could be the worst loss of life from a fire in the city’s history, according to reports.
Dayton Fire Department Director and Chief Jeff Lykins tells WDTN Channel 2 that the house where the fire started initially was thought to be vacant, but about a dozen squatters recently had been seen going in and out.
“There’s no way to make this okay,” Lykins tells WDTN. “It’s difficult for everybody. You know, I feel for our crews. It’s like I said, it’s a very difficult situation, and certainly for the entire community.”
The fire was reported at a large two-story home at about 4 a.m., reports say. Firefighters went inside the home, but quickly were forced to leave because the fire grew too intense and there were concerns the building would collapse.
WHIO Channel 7 reports. Firefighters initially went inside the home, but had to quickly leave as the fire grew more intense, causing concerns the home might collapse.
The fire spread to two other homes nearby, WDTN reports. After the fire was controlled, an emergency demolition was ordered for two of the homes.
The first body was discovered in the debris during the demolition, WEWS Channel 5 reports. A second body was found in the basement.
Cadaver dogs were brought to the scene and three more bodies were discovered, WHIO reports. The identities of the victims were unknown Wednesday night.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. One firefighter did suffer a minor injury.
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