Donations sought for weekend fire victims

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The cause of a Saturday evening fire that damaged an apartment house in Van Wert is currently undetermined.

The Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to 105 W. First St. at 5:54 p.m. According to Van Wert Fire chief Jon Jones, the fire, which began in a bedroom area, was contained to one of four units but there was smoke damage to the other three units. One occupant reportedly suffered from smoke inhalation and according to Chief Jones, two dogs perished in the fire.

Ohio City provided mutual aid and Van Wert police and members of Van Wert County CERT were at the scene as well, and AEP was called in to deal with downed power lines.

The fire department left the scene at 9:06 p.m. but was called back minutes later to extinguish embers in the porch area.

CERT, along with the Salvation Army are teaming up to raise support for the victims affected by the fire. After meeting with the families it was determined that clothing, furniture and monetary donations are needed.

Case No. 7753

Adult female: 20-22 pants, 2XL shirts, size 10 shoes and 2XL coat.
Adult male: 38×30 pants, 3XL shirts, size 9 shoes and 3XL coat.

Case No. 4863

Adult female: 5-7 pants, med-lg shirts, size 7.5 shoes and XL coat.

Case No. 2289

Adult male: 38×33 pants, XL shirts, size 13 shoes and XL coat.

Case No. 2339

Adult female: size 11 pants, medium shirts, size 10-11 shoes and medium coats.
Male adult: size 34 pants, medium shirts, size 9 shoes and medium coats.

Adult female: size small pants, small shirts, size 9 shoes and small coats.
Female child: size 4T-5T clothing, size 4T-5T pull-ups.
Male child: 2T-3T clothing, diapers size 6.

All clothing should be taken to the Salvation Army thrift store at 1116 S. Washington St. and monetary donations may be dropped off or sent to Van Wert County Foundation/CERT, at 138 E. Main St. in Van Wert.

To ensure donations go directly to the families affected, please include the case number in the memo.

Anyone with questions should call the EMA office at 419.238.1300.