Fire damages row houses

SANDUSKY — Several homes were damaged by fire on West Adams Street in Sandusky early Monday morning. Just after 3 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the 1000 block for a report of a fire. All three of Sandusky's fire stations were ordered to respond, and Perkins fire was immediately called for automatic mutual aid. When firefighters arrived, they came upon a set of row houses with flames shooting from the eastern attic window of the first unit. Firefighters entered the first unit and went upstairs to access the attic. Police officers on scene knocked on the doors of the other units to alert residents of the fire. The flames from the window were quickly extinguished, but smoke continued to emanate from the window and several areas on the roof. At about 3:45 a.m., flames once again leapt from the top of the building — this time through the roof and two rear dormers. A hose team was set up to shoot water at the rear of the building, while other crews worked internally and in front of the houses. The fire eventually burned out a several-foot-diameter hole in the roof. Sandusky then called its tower truck to the scene and used it to gain an aerial advantage on the fire. The basket at the end of the tower has two water cannons. Fire commanders called for additional off-duty personnel to respond and also called Huron fire for mutual aid. Huron arrived with its tower truck, and it was positioned on McDonough Street. Sandusky fire Chief Mario D'Amico and fire marshal Tom Salmons also arrived to assist. No one was injured, according to Sandusky fire Capt. Matt Lesch. Five units were condemned as a result of the fire. One was vacant. The other four units had five total families. The Red Cross arrived to assist the displaced families. Fire investigators believed they found the area where the fire started, but have not been able to pinpoint the source of ignition, Salmons said. A damage estimate was not available as of midday Monday.