“It’s an abandoned house,” a 911 caller said, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center records.
While the caller was on the phone with dispatch, he said flames were spreading to the front.
Although the house was reported to be abandoned, the 911 caller said he had seen people going in and out of the house.
The occupants were evaluated by medics at the scene but no injuries were reported, French said.
There were “high-content conditions” that initially delayed access to portions of the house, he said.
“During operations, it was determined that the structural stability of the second floor and roof made it unsafe to continue interior operations, and crews were pulled outside to an exterior position,” French said.
Crews were on scene for more than six hours.
The house was declared a total loss and the incident commander ordered an emergency demolition.
Fire investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set.
Anyone with information about the fire is urged to call the Fire Investigations Unit at 937-333-TIPS (8477).
Credit: Jim Noelker
Credit: Jim Noelker
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