Elyria fire destroys 3 homes amid closed stations and layoffs

ELYRIA, Ohio - A Five On Your Side investigation first uncovered closed fire stations and layoffs in an exclusive report last November that affected firefighters across Ohio.

Early Tuesday morning, three homes in Elyria caught fire while fewer fighters were on hand to respond because of cutbacks and closed stations. Instead, nine Elyria police officers helped rescue at least eight people from the homes while fighters tried to bring the fire under control.

The fire broke out in the 100 block of Highland Court around 1:20 a.m.

The same home had been destroyed by fire last November and was nearly rebuilt. Fortunately, no one was home.

But a family of five next door was rescued as well as residents from a second home. No one was injured.

"We used to have four stations in the city and that day we happened to have two stations open," said Elyria Fire Chief Richard Benton.

"Station Two was permanently closed when our stafing was reduced to 14 and now that we have no minimum staffing, station four was closed that day."

That means that instead of 16 on duty, there were only 10 fighters able to respond. Fire safety experts recommend at least for minimum staffing.

Many Panter lived in the home that caught fire and was being rebuilt.

"I think the firefighters did a good job, considering the circumstances. I think it was too far gone by the time they got notice of it. So there wasn't much they could to save it."

Family members say arson has been a problem in the neighborhood bu t the cause of the early morning blaze remains under investigation.