Firefighters of the Bellefontaine Fire Department report a city resident was able to safely escape a fire at her home Wednesday afternoon at 1109 N. Park Road.
The homeowner, Margaret Barton, was the only individual home at the time of the fire, which she called to report at 11:53 a.m. Bellefontaine Fire and EMS responded, with all off-duty personnel called in to assist, along with mutual aid from Tri-Valley Fire and EMS.
Bellefontaine Fire Chief Andy Fissel said when crews arrived, there was smoke showing from the back of the home. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said the fire is believed to have started in the basement area/ground level of the split-level house.
Damage is estimated at $60,000, with the homeowner temporarily displaced while repairs are made and electricity is shut off to the home. Fissel said the open floor plan of the home lead to somewhat more extensive damage, without as many walls to slow and contain the spread of the fire.
Crews remained on scene until 3:13 p.m.