New fire chief starts duties with structure fire
Jacob Russell finds himself at the fire just a day after being named acting fire chief by Liverpool Township trustees. With his acting predecessor providing support on the exterior, Russell said Sunday morning that crews responded to the vacant structure at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, after various neighbors alerted officials about smoke odor. The structure had no utilities but had become a haven for squatters, neighbors reported. The investigation continues, as Russell tries to find a property owner. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Calcutta fire Lt. Jacob Roush removes gear Saturday evening after exiting a fire at a vacant structure in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue. His department was there, providing mutual aid along with East Liverpool, Newell, West Point and Glenmoor fire departments. The fire remains under investigation. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
East Liverpool assistant fire chief Aaron Jones takes a breather Saturday before re-entering a fire in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue. His department was there, providing mutual aid along with Calcutta, Glenmoor, West Point and Newell fire departments. The fire remains under investigation. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
East Liverpool firefighter Derek Smith unloads gear while getting some fresh air Saturday night before going back in a fire at a Liverpool Township vacant home. Crews ultimately were there in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue for around six hours at the fire. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Unidentified firefighters from East Liverpool point up towards smoke emitting from the roof of a vacant structure Saturday evening in Liverpool Township. Crews from East Liverpool, Calcutta, Glenmoor and Newell fire departments responded on scene to provide additional trucks and manpower. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
An East Liverpool firefighter replaces an air tank on a collegue Saturday evening outside a vacant structure fire at 2249 Hunter Ave. in Liverpool Township. The city provided mutual aid with manpower and equipment along with Calcutta, Glenmoor and Newell departments. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
From left, Liverpool Township patrolman Colton Vonnagle looks on as Mike Bahen, a township trustee and the township’s former acting fire chief, stands outside 2249 Hunter Ave as fire crews attempt to extinguish a fire in the vacant structure. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Fire crews from Liverpool Township and East Liverpool departments make entry up a wooden staircase into a vacant structure at 2249 Hunter Ave. Neighbors reported smelling smoke and alerted authorities. Investigators are still trying to track down the building’s address and owner, who is unknown as it apparently has been unoccupied for nearly a decade. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Jacob Russell finds himself at the fire just a day after being named acting fire chief by Liverpool Township trustees. With his acting predecessor providing support on the exterior, Russell said Sunday morning that crews responded to the vacant structure at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, after various neighbors alerted officials about smoke odor. The structure had no utilities but had become a haven for squatters, neighbors reported. The investigation continues, as Russell tries to find a property owner. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Calcutta fire Lt. Jacob Roush removes gear Saturday evening after exiting a fire at a vacant structure in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue. His department was there, providing mutual aid along with East Liverpool, Newell, West Point and Glenmoor fire departments. The fire remains under investigation. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
East Liverpool assistant fire chief Aaron Jones takes a breather Saturday before re-entering a fire in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue. His department was there, providing mutual aid along with Calcutta, Glenmoor, West Point and Newell fire departments. The fire remains under investigation. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
East Liverpool firefighter Derek Smith unloads gear while getting some fresh air Saturday night before going back in a fire at a Liverpool Township vacant home. Crews ultimately were there in the 2400 block of Hunter Avenue for around six hours at the fire. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Unidentified firefighters from East Liverpool point up towards smoke emitting from the roof of a vacant structure Saturday evening in Liverpool Township. Crews from East Liverpool, Calcutta, Glenmoor and Newell fire departments responded on scene to provide additional trucks and manpower. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
An East Liverpool firefighter replaces an air tank on a collegue Saturday evening outside a vacant structure fire at 2249 Hunter Ave. in Liverpool Township. The city provided mutual aid with manpower and equipment along with Calcutta, Glenmoor and Newell departments. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
From left, Liverpool Township patrolman Colton Vonnagle looks on as Mike Bahen, a township trustee and the township’s former acting fire chief, stands outside 2249 Hunter Ave as fire crews attempt to extinguish a fire in the vacant structure. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Fire crews from Liverpool Township and East Liverpool departments make entry up a wooden staircase into a vacant structure at 2249 Hunter Ave. Neighbors reported smelling smoke and alerted authorities. Investigators are still trying to track down the building’s address and owner, who is unknown as it apparently has been unoccupied for nearly a decade. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
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LACROFT – Jacob Russell began his duties, after being named the new acting fire chief for Liverpool Township with a Saturday night structure fire.
It was all hands on deck when firefighters responded shortly after 6:30 p.m. to 2249 Hunter Avenue, after receiving numerous calls regarding the smell of smoke from neighbors.
While Russell led the actual firefight in the structure's interior, his predecessor Mike Bahen led the charge on the exterior.
The current township fire chief is suspended pending possible policy violations.
After dispatching a police officer to the scene, where he reported the basement of the structure was fully involved, crews from the township and East Liverpool squashed that quickly.
However, smoke emitting from the upper levels proved to be more daunting.
With additional mutual aid being needed from Calcutta and Glenmoor, which both provided tanker trucks and two firefighters,
Newell fire was brought over into Ohio to standby on station for Liverpool Township, while West Point fire stood by for them at their own station.
Eventually, Russell also called for an aerial truck to combat a fire under the roof, which along with the second floor were at the risk of collapse making combating that particular section of the fire more difficult because of the risks.
Although the cause is unknown, Russell said the lack of utilities and neighbors had reported that squatters had taken up residence in the structure, which contained signs of such activity although unoccupied.
Crews finally were able to clear the scene around 12:30 a.m. Sunday with Newell firefighters' assistance dealing with some hot spots.
Russell estimated the loss to the structure and contents to be around $30,000. There are no plans to reach out to the state fire marshal at this time, since officials don't know who owns the property. It remains under investigation.