Water Concerns Rise as Houses Burn in East Cleveland, OH
East Cleveland firefighters battling a blaze Thursday didn't have enough water early in the operation.
The closest hydrant had been knocked off its base in a crash about a year ago. Despite numerous calls from neighbors, no one ever came to fix it. Now, it lays in front of the charred remains of three houses.
Firefighters were heard calling for more water and pressure, News 5 reported.
Neighbors, including Leroy Cook, believe had the hydrant been working, it would have made a difference. Neither fire nor city officials have commented on the water issue.
Preliminary investigation reveals the fire started in a vacant house and quickly spread to two others.
Cook called the incident a close call. When he saw his neighbors' truck in the driveway, he knew they were inside. He considered racing in.
“But it was too high, the fire was too high in front. So I just found a brick and threw it through the front window.”
Moments later, the family emerged from their burning home.
The cause remains under investigation.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.