Ohio Homeowner Hurt Fighting Blaze

CINCINNATI --

Firefighters from eight departments battled a blaze Monday afternoon in Lockland.

The owner of the home in the 700 block of South Cooper Road said he tried to extinguish the fire with a garden hose before firefighters arrived.

The homeowner, whose name was not released, was taken to a hospital for treatment of burns and for smoke inhalation.

Authorities said the fire spread quickly because the homeowner tried to fight the blaze himself instead of calling for help.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but neighbor said the fire started when a cigarette was left unattended while the homeowner went into another room.

Damage was estimated at $50,000.