Firefighters from multiple fire departments battle a structure fire at 54 S. Second St. in Clarksville on Thursday, March 13, 2025, working to extinguish flames and search for missing occupants.
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CLARKSVILLE, Ohio — Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District responded to a structure fire at 54 S. Second St. in Clarksville at 4:02 a.m. Thursday, with dispatch reporting that two people were trapped inside the single-story residence.
Assistance was provided by the Wilmington Fire Department, Salem/Morrow Fire Department, Blanchester Marion Township Fire Department and Blanchester EMS.
Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District Chief Andrew Wysong said in an email to the News Journal that crews arrived to find a working fire with heavy smoke and flames coming from the front and side of the house. Witnesses reported that two people might still be inside, promoting dispatch to upgrade the call to a confirmed entrapment. Additional aid was requested from the Harlan Township Fire Department and a Clinton Highland Joint Fire Department medic unit.
Firefighters quickly formed an attack line and forced their way through the front door to battle the blaze. They made a push into the structure, working to contain the flames and search for the missing occupants.
“Crews faced multiple challenges,” Wysong said. “The structure had moderate hoarding conditions throughout. The house also had multiple add-ons or additions that created various spots for hidden fires.”
Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes, but remained on the scene for six hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to assist the State of Ohio Fire Marshal Office.
The occupants and one dog escaped before firefighters arrived. Another dog was found deceased during the crew’s initial search.
According to Wysong, the house sustained heavy damage and is likely a total loss. There were no working smoke alarms in the home.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.
