Fire destroys a residence at 1701 Main St., in Wellsville, leaving 11 residents homeless early Friday morning. (Photos courtesy of Wellsville Firefighter Will Allison)

WELLSVILLE – The 11 occupants of a house destroyed by an early morning fire in Wellsville on Friday were able to safely escape the house with no injuries and there were no injuries to any firefighters. The occupants were out of the house when firefighters arrived.

Wellsville Fire Chief Barry Podwel said that occupants were holding their pets, and it was unknown if any were lost.

Wellsville Fire Department was called out to the fire at 1701 Main St., at 5:45 a.m., and arrived on scene at 5:47 a.m. By 8:06 a.m., the fire was under control, and they were able to clear the scene at 9:59 a.m.

Firefighters had to close portions of Main Street, 17th Street and 18th street to connect to fire hydrants.

In addition to the house, a 2007 Ford Taurus SE belonging to one of the occupants was damaged by the fire.

Multiple fire departments responding to the fire including Wellsville Fire Department as the primary, Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department, Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department, Liverpool Township Stations 7 and 8 (LaCroft and Dixonville) Volunteer Fire Departments, Irondale Volunteer Fire Department, Toronto Fire Department, West Point Volunteer Fire Department and the Wellsville Road Department were all on scene to provide mutual aid.

The Road Department was asked to bring out the village’s backhoe to remove a wall and debris to access the interior where the fire was burning under the collapsed roof, Podwel said.

Wellsville Police Department, Lifeteam EMS, Buckeye Water District, Columbia Gas, AEP Ohio, The American Red Cross and the Ohio State Fire Marshal were also on scene.

The house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and has been declared a total loss with nothing left but rubble,” Podwel said.

The property which is owned by Anthony Powell/Joe Pappas had a value of $18,900 according to the Columbiana County Auditor’s website. It is not known if the property which was a rental had working smoke detectors or whether or not it was insured. Podwel says he has not had the opportunity to talk to any of the occupants to find out if they had renter’s insurance.

He noted he doubted there were smoke detectors and believes that they are lucky anybody got out of the structure which was already fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

He also noted that the American Red Cross was providing assistance but does not know how much. He said one of the occupants said he received a prepaid card with $600 to cover a room and personal needs.

Podwel said they were unable to determine if the fire is suspicious or not and that is pending the investigation being conducted by the State Fire Marshal.

The fire departments are appreciative of the resident who brought donuts and coffee to the scene for them.

Podwel noted that the incident commander for the fire, Firefighter Will Allison, who was the first on the scene and Firefighter Jamie McMahon did a great job.

Podwel is asking people to stay away from the residence which is taped off and was still smoldering in the basement area early Friday afternoon, and there is a slight potential for a call back for a flare up. Some smoke is expected but if anyone sees any flames to contact the fire department immediately.

The fire is under investigation by state fire marshals. Podwel plans to fire up with them on Monday.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com