House fire prompts school closure

SANDUSKY — A fire on Monday morning prompted a local elementary school in Sandusky to close for the day. At about 7 a.m., first responders were called out to a home located in the 1100 block of Second St. for a report of a house fire. The two homeowners, as well as their pets, made it safely out of the home, according to Sandusky fire Chief Mario D'Amico. Once firefighters arrived at the scene, they observed embers falling from the ceiling in the furnace room, D'Amico said. "The vast majority of the fire was confined to the attic space," D'Amico said. Fire crews had difficulty reaching the attic bases because the attic consisted of multiple roof systems. D'Amico added that after fire crews extinguished the fire, the principal of Sandusky Primary School, which is one block away, came over and told them they had decided to close the school for the day because smoke was entering the school's ventilation system. Fundraiser established for the homeowners One of the homeowner's daughters, Kristen Brown, created a GoFundMe early Monday afternoon and set a $2,200 goal. Within a few hours, the GoFundMe raised $650 of its $2,200 goal. "Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward helping Kim and Jeff (Smith) find (their) footing again," the GoFundMe states. "Your kindness and support mean the world to us during this incredibly difficult time." Search for "Support for Kim and Jeff After Their House Fire" on gofundme.com.