Wren house fire

Seven area fire departments were on the scene to battle a Wren house fire that began sometime early Tuesday afternoon. The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call at 1:39 p.m. Tuesday and dispatched the Wren Fire Department to the scene. Several other Van Wert County fire departments, including Willshire, Ohio City and Convoy, also provided mutual aid, as did Decatur and Preble, Ind. Brickner Ambulance Service also was on the scene and, according to a witness at the scene, several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, with one of those taken to the hospital. The Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross was also on the scene, as was the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department. (photos by Mark Klausing for the Van Wert independent)