Cause of Meadows of Catalpa apartment fire still undetermined

A fire broke out at an apartment complex along Idle Hour Circle on Aug. 5. 

Photo Credit: Harrison Township Professional Firefighters Local 3552

A fire broke out at an apartment complex along Idle Hour Circle on Aug. 5. Photo Credit: Harrison Township Professional Firefighters Local 3552

Firefighters are still trying to figure out the cause of Saturday fire that left dozens of people homeless and injured three at the Meadows of Catalpa apartment complex in Harrison Twp.

Heavy flames and smoke was visible for miles from the fire Saturday evening in the 4100 block of Idle Hour Circle, said Chief Mike Crist of the Harrison Twp. Fire Department.

A fire broke out at an apartment complex along Idle Hour Circle on Aug. 5. 

Photo Credit: Harrison Township Professional Firefighters Local 3552

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Three people were injured, including a firefighter who suffered minor injuries, Crist said. One person was taken to Miami Valley Hospital North for burn and smoke inhalation and another person was treated at the scene. The firefighter was treated and released at the same hospital for a laceration. There was no pet loss, the chief said.

The fire affected at least eight units at the Meadows of Catalpa complex near Turner Road and Philadelphia Drive.

The portion that was affected the most by the fire is a complete loss, Crist said. A total damage estimate is not yet known.

Crist said he was not sure how many residents were displaced, but said the American Red Cross met with those affected to offer assistance.

In a Facebook post by Harrison Township Professional Firefighters Local 3552, the fire union said crews were on scene for a three-alarm fire at an apartment complex off Turner Road and Philadelphia Drive and that they were assisted by firefighters from eight other communities: Trotwood, Dayton, Clayton, Englewood, Union, Vandalia, Riverside, Brookville and Huber Heights.

While heat plays a certain factor, the main reason for the number of firefighters called was the size of the building, amount of fire they had and the number of people displaced plus injuries, according to Crist.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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