A bush fire injured three people, burned 12 hectares of land News, Sports, Work

Charred trees lie on the ground from a fire that burned above and below ground on 12 acres of land on Malone Road in Salineville. (Photo by Christy R. Garabrandt)

SALINVILLE — A brush fire that broke out at 20410 Malone Road early Wednesday morning took 64 firefighters from nine fire stations 13 hours to bring under control.

As a result of the fire, 12 hectares of land burned, three firefighters were injured, two of whom were taken away by an ambulance. Firefighters received minor injuries. Two people taken to the hospital were treated and released, and the third injured firefighter was treated at the scene.

According to Fire Chief Jeremiah Cole of the Highlandstown Volunteer Fire Department, the area where the fire occurred was very rugged, with firefighters battling the fire on hills, in ravines and valleys, and among downed trees.

Two of the injured firefighters were injured when the flatbed truck they were in overturned over the terrain, and a third firefighter was injured when he was hit by a falling tree.

“It was rough. “I’ve been to a lot of bushfires over the last 30 years, but this one was tough, it was hard to put out.” Cole said. “The problem we ran into was peat moss.”

Cole said the fire was burning underground, and as soon as they put it out in one spot, it would immediately pop up again about three feet. Firefighters manually heated almost all 12 hectares of land, because it was burning underground and could not be seen.

The call about the fire to the units came at 5:39. The fire was extinguished at 18:40.

Responding departments included Highlandtown, Salineville, Franklin Township, Wellsville, West Point, Glenmoore, Irondale and Liverpool volunteer fire departments. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry was also on scene with a bulldozer and SUVs.

The Salineville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene Thursday morning at approximately 8 or 9 a.m. due to multiple fires.

While the cause of the fire is still undetermined and under investigation, Cole said after speaking with ODNR Thursday, combustion is the likely cause. Pending the outcome of the investigation, ODNR may pursue possible charges against the property owner. Cole also noted that the cause of the fire could not be determined.

Cole reminded residents that the state still has a burn ban, which prohibits the burning of anything between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and after 18 hours of burning garbage, only natural material. Campfires cannot exceed 3 feet by 3 feet. Fires can be constantly under supervision.

Cole noted that he looked at the firefighters after 13 hours of fighting the fire and they were all exhausted, dirty and exhausted, and he was concerned about them. But even though they were all tired and sick, and some were injured, they all returned to work full time on Thursday. He also urged everyone to observe the burning ban and use common sense.

Cole said the firefighters were grateful to all the residents who brought them refreshments and drinks, including porters who brought them lunch.