Father seriously injured after Bascom house fire

BASCOM, Ohio — A family of seven — including five young children — were taken to a local hospital after suffering injuries from a fire in their Seneca County home.

The fire in Bascom was reported at 2:25 a.m. Tuesday at 684 N. Ash St., said Shane Cartmill, spokesman for the State Fire Marshal.

Mr. Cartmill did not have the names of the victims.

The man who lived in the home, who authorities believe is the father, sustained the most serious injuries and is still in the hospital. Investigators have not yet been able to talk to the man.

The five children who were taken to the hospital range in age from 6 months to 15 years, Mr. Cartmill said.

Mr. Cartmill said the fire appears to have started in the kitchen where a burner on the electric stove was left on, although investigators are waiting to talk to the man before they make an official ruling.

Mr. Cartmill stressed that there does not appear to be evidence of criminal activity.

The home did have smoke detectors and they were active, which likely saved the family.

“Investigators believe ... [the smoke detectors] were probably able to save the life of the family,” Mr. Cartmill said.

Bascom is about 40 miles southeast of Toledo.