East Liverpool firefighters work to extinguish an early morning house fire at 1000 Ephriam St. Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of East Liverpool Fire Department)

EAST LIVERPOOL — One resident was transported by North Star Critical Care to East Liverpool City Hospital for evaluation and treatment of smoke inhalation early Tuesday morning following a house fire.

The East Liverpool Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1000 Ephriam St. at 3:50 a.m.

Upon arrival to the engulfed house at 3:56 a.m., firefighters faced heavy fire and smoke conditions and, according to the report, quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack.

At 3:57 a.m., a second alarm was requested which brought an additional seven firefighters from the East Liverpool Fire Department to the scene.

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire in a side room on the house, but it continued burning in the rear, resulting in East Liverpool’s Truck 1’s water tank being nearly depleted.

Firefighters worked with a hose line from the tanker to slow the progression of the fire while a permanent water supply was established through a hydrant.

A third alarm was requested at 4:08 a.m., which brought mutual aid, with two engines from the Liverpool Township Fire Department, bringing the total number of firefighters on the scene to 17.

The firefighters were able to get into the first floor of the house and extinguish the rest of the fire in the kitchen area.

Once the main body of the fire was under control, firefighters began a primary search and extensive overhaul operations, opening up the rear of the first and second floors to check for fire extension. Additional fire was discovered on an exterior corner of the house and extinguished.

The fire was declared under control at 4:14 a.m.

According to the fire report, the house sustained heavy fire damage to the first-floor rear kitchen area and side of the house, with significant smoke damage throughout the house.

The report also noted that no detectors were present.

The American Red Cross was requested to assist the residence displaced by the fire.

Also on scene were Columbiana Gas and AEP to secure the utilities.

There were 11 firefighters from East Liverpool and six from Liverpool Township working on the fire.

Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours after the fire was under control doing overhaul and checking for hidden hot spots.

There were no firefighters injured, and firefighters were successful in rescuing a cat from the house.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation.

Fire Chief Antony Cumo said the crews did a great job and thanked the Liverpool Township Fire Department, NorthStar EMS, Columbia Gas, AEP and the American Red Cross for their assistance.