Apartment fire leaves family of 5 homeless

VW independent/submitted information

Saturday evening at 10:30 p.m. Van Wert Fire and Police departments, AEP, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were dispatched to an apartment fire on West Main Street that left two adults, three children, and three pets without a home.

Quick evacuation by Van Wert police and quick knockdown of the fire by Van Wert firefighters limited major damage to the one apartment, with only smoke damage to surrounding units, which were ventilated and occupants were able to return that night.

The family was left without a home and in need of assistance and includes the following members:

• Adult female: Pants size 18, shirt size 2XL, shoe size 9½, and coat size 2XL
• Adult female: Pants size 11, shirt size XL, shoe size 8½, and coat size XL
• Minor male: Pants size 32×30, shirt size SM, shoe size 11, and coat size MED
• Minor male: Pant size 14/16, shirt size XL, shoe size 7, and coat size XL
• Minor female: Pants size 7, shirt size 7, shoe size 12, and coat size 7

Clothing donations will be collected for the family at the Salvation Army, 1116 S. Washington St. in Van Wert, until February 7. Monetary donations can be sent to Van Wert County Foundation, 138 E. Main St. in Van Wert. All donations will be accepted under the name of “Langenkamp Family”. Any questions about donations for the family, call the EMA office at 419.238.1300.