Overnight fire leaves dozens homeless

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Fire officials are investigating a fire, believed to be arson, that left approximately two dozen people homeless.

Firefighters were dispatched to two buildings near downtown Dayton around midnight Thursday.

A building off east Third street, which housed several business on the first floor and then several apartments on the second floor, was on fire.  A row of seven townhomes behind the building off Oberdon avenue was also on fire.

James Donald Hill, 45, is in police custody and faces aggravated arson charges.  Witnesses believe he may have set fire to a couch that was in between the two buildings.

When firefighters arrived they immediately began evacuating people inside their homes.

Firefighters battled the flames both on the ground and from the air with ladder trucks. They even called in the water department for more water pressure.

Their work became more difficult when the radiator in one of the main fire engines blew out, and the hydrant feeding water to that engine also broke. A tow truck removed the engine so crews could continue their work.

A crowd of residents and business owners looked on as their homes and livelihoods went up in smoke.

Paul Huber, who owns two stores in burning building, just ran his hands through his hair as the building continued to Burn.

Elvis Rosario and his 16 and 13-year-old sons walked down 3rd Street carrying an empty pet carrier after escaping the blaze. Their home and two dogs were all lost in the flames.

Elvis told 2 NEWS the smoke detectors in his apartment never went off. He expressed his thanked the Dayton police officers who knocked on his door and woke his family.

“We could have been dead. I mean, we were dead asleep. They were banging and kicking and knocking down doors. Otherwise-- we wouldn't be here talking,” he said.

The Dayton fire chief said both buildings are a total loss and will be demolished.

The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at Corinthian Baptist Church on James H. McGee. 

If you would like to help the victims, contact the Red Cross at (937) 222- 6711.