Lori Steineck
The Repository, Canton, Ohio
CANTON, Ohio — Two people and two firefighters injured in a blaze that tore through the first floor of a southwest Canton home Wednesday morning have been released from area hospitals.
Acting Battalion Chief Jason Bartram said the 8 a.m. fire at 915 Smith Ave. SW was suspicious in nature and remained under investigation on Thursday.
Firefighters arrived to find the first floor of the 2 1/2-story, wood-frame home “fully involved,” he said. A man and a woman jumped from windows, and four other people escaped without harm.
Bartram said the woman suffered smoke inhalation and the man suffered an ankle injury and two dogs died. Firefighters Tim Stinson and Ian Smith were also taken to area hospitals with injuries. All were treated and have since been released.
A cat was rescued, he said.
Bartram said the first floor was gutted, adding that residents have since found other temporary housing.
Firefighters said a passerby who works in construction used a ladder to help some of the residents flee the burning home.
Those in the house were “very fortunate,” Chief Thomas Garra said Wednesday. “They were all sleeping. They were fortunate to have that bystander come through.”
A video taken of the blaze shows flames shooting out of two sides of the house.
“It is definitely major destruction to the house,” Garra said.
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