House fire total loss in Oak Harbor

Weather may have saved lives on Monday morning when a fire destroyed a Salem Township home in the 600 block of South Donshire Boulevard in Oak Harbor.The house was being rented to a couple from Toledo who who were unable to make it back to Oak Harbor due to dangerous weather conditions. "They were just moving their stuff in," said Portage Fire District Chief Mike Almendinger "so we are very happy there were no injuries."Portage Fire District received the call of a structure fire at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival the two story home was showing a working fire on the first and second floors and also in the basement. Harris/Elmore Fire, Erie Township Fire, Mid County EMS and Carroll Township Fire were also called for assistance and for extra manpower. Bay Township Fire was on stand-by at their station. "We were still on the scene until 5:30 p.m." Almendinger said. "everyone did an awesome job with the condition it was. Being we were at a level 3, everyone (firemen) was home which made it nice to have all the manpower needed. The area where the home is located off Ohio 105 in Oak Harbor has no fire hydrants."The fire might have started in the basement, although its exact origin remains unclear. The Ohio State Fire Marshall was called to the scene to investegate."We couldn't have done it without everyone's help and we appreciate their work," Almendinger said. Register Photo/LUKE WARK The rental house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Provided photo A house fire in 600 block of Donshire Boulevard destroyed part of a home on Monday.Register Photo/LUKE WARK A blue tarp coveres most of the damaged area of the house. It allegedly caught fire in the basement while its renters were in Toledo. Provided photo Portage Fire District Firemen check for hot spots after a home fire in Oak Harbor.