SANDUSKY

Four local fire departments partnered to tame a fire spreading through four condominium units Monday afternoon at The Harbour off Cleveland Road.

About 35 firefighters from Sandusky, Huron, Margaretta Township and Perkins Township extinguished a fire originating from 180 Marina Point Drive.

The fire, which took almost two hours to extinguish, obliterated the unit and made neighboring unit 179 unlivable, said Capt. Bill Mohr of the Sandusky Fire Department who coordinated firefighters at the scene. Units 178 and 181 were minimally affected.

No deaths or life-threatening injuries were reported.

The fire started in unit 180 about 12:30 p.m. A man who lives in that unit and a woman from neighboring unit 179 were transported to Firelands Hospital.

Five firefighters received treatment for heat exhaustion and were all released later in the afternoon.

Temperatures reached the low 90s Monday afternoon.

"I think its important for people to know when we get high temperatures and the heat index is up, it really does take a toll on firefighters that are wearing additional protective clothing and have to operate in these condition," Sandusky Fire Chief Paul Ricci said.

The fire started on a second-floor deck in the rear of the complex and extended into the third-story attic. Since the backyard of the unit is water and not grass, the Sandusky Fire Department dispatched its boat to smother the flames with a hose.

"(The boat) proved to be effective for us," Mohr said. "We were able to get a large, massive stream of water on the structure and help control the fire on the backside."

City Commissioner Dan Kaman is thankful other fire departments assisted during the accident, but is especially grateful the Sandusky Fire Department did what they are known for: Getting the job done.

"A day like today, you don't realize how lucky we are to have a fire department," Kaman said. "They are short staffed, but that fire department always does their duty. Whenever the bell sounds, they show up."

The fire is suspected to be accidental.

Ricci knows the importance of protecting the public from hazards. He said several fire departments coordinated with the Sandusky Fire Department, Ohio Edison and neighbors providing water to assist the firefighters.

"It's a Herculean effort what they are doing," Ricci said. "They are very admirable and I'm very proud of all of them."