MEDINA COUNTY, Ohio — First responders from several Medina County agencies are being praised after rescuing a woman trapped in a burning house in York Township on Wednesday.
According to a release from the Medina County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call about a fire at a house in the 7700 block of Branch Road at approximately 10:54 a.m. They were also told that a female was trapped in the basement.
While first responders mobilized to the scene, officials say the 911 operator was able to stay in "constant communication" with the trapped woman.
Responding units reported that the smoke from the fire could be seen from several miles away.
"First arriving personnel were quickly able to identify the location where the female was trapped in the basement. A small basement window was located on the east side of the home. The window was breached, and the female could be heard yelling in the basement," the release stated.
Medina County sheriff's deputies teamed up with fire crews from Erhart/York, Medina, Chatham, and an off-duty fireman from an out-of-county department to rescue the 31-year-old woman from the basement. City of Medina Fire Chief Larry Walters was the one who went through a window to help save her.
"(If) people want to use titles and names for it, that's OK," a modest Walters said of his efforts. "I'm just happy it had a good outcome for her and her family."
You can watch body camera footage of the rescue below
Officials say the rescued woman was taken to Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital where she was treated and released. In addition, four sheriff's office personnel and two firefighters were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. All were treated and released.
Sadly, two dogs and two cats who were inside the house died in the fire.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the blaze. The cause of the fire is "undetermined currently."
If you have any information about the fire, contact the State Fire Marshal Investigation Bureau at (800) 589-2728.