Good afternoon, this is District Fire Chief Mike Kroeger, Cincinnati Fire Division, reporting on at 5 alarm fire at 2501 to 2508 Washington Circle in the Williamsburg Apartments on Gaibraith Rd.. It is Friday, 03/29/96, at 2:00 PM.
Cincinnati Fire Companies responded to a building fire in the Witliamsburg complex at 10:24 AM with the first unit arriving at 10:31 AM. The first arriving company found heavy fire in the first floor rear of a two story, 8 family, wood frame, multi-dwelling wth an approximate floor area of 150 X75' The fire was rapidly spreading vertically into the second floor and attic. The fire building had a wood trussed roof that was open without fire walls the entire length of the building To make matters worse, the fire had started at one end of the structure and the wind direction was blowing the fire towards the uninvolved portions of the building.
Cincinnati Fire Fighters were able to stop the progress of the fire through the exposed attic area by an extremely aggressive interior attack. Their highly aggressive and professional fire fighting actions saved the entire uninvolved half of the building The fight was not without cost to fire fighters, however.
A total of 3 firefighters were taken to University Hospital:
There was one civilian injury, resident, Ms. Una Augustine, FB, age 75 was taken to University Hospital with 1st degree bums to her face and smoke inhalation.
10 Engine Cos., 4 Truck Cos., 1 Heavy Rescue, Two Rescue Units, 2 Ambulance Units, and numerous Staff personnel responded for an approximate total of 80 fire personnel. Fire personnel have been on the scene now for 4 1/2 hours and will remain on the scene until salvage and overhaul Is completed. The fire loss is listed at approximately $300,000 and the cause of this fire is still under investigation.
For any additional information, please contact Acting District 3 Fire Chief, Randal Free at 352-2333