The Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services was dispatched to a structure fire at 631 St. Mary’s Avenue, Sidney at 1:37 a.m. Saturday morning. Enroute to the scene, Sidney Police officers who were on scene advised that there was a heavy volume of fire on the second floor of the structure and one person was trapped inside the residence. Upon arrival, AC Wiley confirmed the police officers report and advised that the two-story, single-family residence had a well involved fire burning on the second floor and that crews would be performing search and fire attack. A box alarm was struck to recall all off-duty Sidney personnel. Crews quickly located and removed one male occupant from the structure by cutting a hole in the exterior of the structure to make access to him. He was transported to Wilson Health for evaluation and was later transferred to a Dayton hospital for further treatment. Another male occupant had evacuated from the structure.
Crews brought the fire under control within an hour of arrival and remained on scene to perform overhaul operations. DP&L and Vectren were brought to the scene to control utilities. Mutual aid was received from Anna and Lockington Fire Departments and Perry-Port Salem EMS. Additionally, the Sidney/Shelby County Salvation Army provided Emergency Disaster Services including hot coffee and food for the first responders.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services – Fire Investigation Unit. The loss to the residence, owned by William Butts, is estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $25,000 to the contents. The occupants of the structure are being assisted by family and friends with lodging and other needs.