Fire destroys Norwalk home

NORWALK — A fire ripped through a south Norwalk home late Wednesday, forcing the city fire department to call for mutual aid. The Huron County Sheriff's Office received a call about a fire "between (U.S.) 250 and Rural King," with no further information, according to Norwalk fire's call logs. Deputies searched the area, detected smoke and discovered a house on South Norwalk Road fully engulfed in flames. A second call to Norwalk fire indicated the roof of the house was on fire, and the caller was advised to "get everyone out" according to the report. Police on scene identified the homeowner as Darryl More, who verified the house was unoccupied. Help Norwalk fire requested mutual aid on arrival, including tankers and personnel from the Huron River fire district in Monroeville and Huron fire. Both departments responded with one tanker and additional firefighters. As the fire continued to rage, the Berlin Heights, Willard, Townsend and Fairfield departments sent extra staffing and tankers. At one point, police removed a crowd of onlookers. Due to icy weather conditions, Huron River fire requested salt trucks from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Aftermath One of the homeowners, Kimberley More, told the Register she was appreciative for the first responders and praised their work. "We are so thankful for all the firemen and police who showed up and worked so hard on trying to save our home," Kimberley said. "All the brave firefighters and deputies were so kind and supportive." Putting their own safety at risk, firefighters entered the home and saved precious family mementos. "They asked what were the most important things to me, and they went inside and saved as many family memories as they could. They even took the photos off the wall," she said. "That meant so much." A guardian angel? Kimberley was in the home when the fire began and answered a knock at the door. An unidentified man in a construction vest appeared at the door and informed her "Ma'am, your roof is on fire." At that point, her fire alarm began to beep. She immediately left the house and called police and never saw the man again. Kimberley says she wants to thank the man if he is identified. "Without him, I would never have known the house was on fire or the severity," she said. New home Kimberley had been living in the house for about three years and lamented the loss of her new home. "It is devastating watching the new home you love go up in flames," she said. In spite of the material loss, Kimberley remained grateful for what was spared. "We are fortunate we were not injured, that everyone is OK," she said. "Look at the people in California and elsewhere who are suffering right now. We are so blessed to be part of a small community with so much compassion." Kimberley focused on her family's spiritual needs in spite of their material loss. "Please pray for us that we can rebuild our home the way we loved it, and pray for the first responders who came to help us," she said. One firefighter was treated at the hospital for minor injuries after the fire. The house appears to be a total loss. Kimberley confirmed the couple planned to rebuild. The fire department has not released a cause for the fire, but the couple speculated a wood burner might be to blame. Editor's note: This story has been updated.