31-year-old woman killed in Chagrin Falls apartment fire

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - A 31-year-old woman died after an apartment fire in Chagrin Falls Friday morning that appears to have been accidentally started.

The fire happened at about 5:20 a.m. in the 300 block of Solon Road.

Chagrin Falls Fire Chief Frank Zugan said the first call came in to the dispatch center saying there was an odor of smoke in the building. By the time firefighters got tot the scene, flames were coming from the back of the four-story building.

Zugan said crews put the fire out and searched the building, finding the woman unconscious in one of the units. She was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.

All of the other residents were able to get out safely before fire crews arrived.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said the woman has been identified as Kelly Small of Chagrin Falls.

According to Zugan, the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it has been ruled accidental in nature.

Damage is estimated at $75,000.

Firefighters from Solon, Orange, Bainbridge and Russell all helped the Chagrin Falls Fire Department with the fire.