Convoy house fire

Fire destroyed a Convoy home Friday afternoon and a woman was treated for smoke inhalation after escaping from the interior of the house. The fire, at 2176 Convoy Road, was called in at approximately 3:15 p.m. Friday. Convoy Fire Department was on the primary department on the scene, and requested mutual aid from Van Wert, Ohio City, Wren and Monroeville, Indiana, fire departments. Brickner Ambulance Service treated the woman victim for smoke inhalation, while the Disaster Unit of the Van Wert County American Red Cross Chapter was also at the scene. Van Wert Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy said he was driving by when he spotted the fire and called it in via 9-1-1. He then got a stepladder at the residence, broke a second-story window and coaxed a large German shepherd to safety. Another dog and a cat reportedly died in the fire. (photo by Rick McCoy for the Van Wert independent)

Updated at 6:47 a.m. Saturday, August 1