Driver charged with OVI after hitting cruiser on scene of house fire in Lorain County

EATON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol said a driver was charged with OVI after hitting a cruiser that was directing traffic on the scene of a house fire in Lorain County.

The trooper and driver received minor injuries in the collision that took place around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, the highway patrol said.

Eaton Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Kevin Blair said firefighters were called out about an hour before to a massive house fire in the 37700 block of Chestnut Ridge Road.

Blair said the home was absolutely destroyed in the rapid, fast-paced fire.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported among firefighters or the occupants, who Blair said were inside the home when the blaze broke out but made it to safety.

Blair described the fire as a “tragic loss” and said the family is known to several members of the department.

Efforts to extinguish the fire were complicated by the home’s location, Blair said, because there is a long driveway.

Blair said firefighters utilized over 1,500 feet of supply line to pump in water from a hydrant on Chestnut Ridge Road, as well as the department’s own water tanker trunk and others brought in by those providing mutual aid.

While the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office initially said the cause was determined to be a propane leak, Blair said fire officials are still investigating the cause.

Blair said the blaze is believed to have sparked in the garage, and though there were propane tanks in there, it’s not confirmed they started the fire. Foul play is not suspected, Blair said.

“Well, I feel sorry, I hate to see anybody lose their house,” said neighbor Gary Carter.

Eaton Township Fire Department said in a Facebook post that crews remained on scene for eight and a half hours.

The charged driver’s identity was not released by the highway patrol.

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