Corry officials reflect on difficult Columbus fire at council meeting

Corry — Corry officials recognized the emotional toll of a serious house fire in Columbus and praised the emergency personnel who responded to the incident during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Director of Public Safety Andrew Sproveri thanked the Corry firefighters and emergency medical personnel, along with the departments from surrounding communities that assisted at the scene Sunday, Oct. 18.

“What happened yesterday was something no human being should have to go through,” Sproveri said, expressing concern for the victims and the emergency responders who worked at the scene.

He described the response as a significant effort and said the city should be proud of the work performed by its firefighters and the surrounding departments.

The fire was reported at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday at a home on West Main Street in Columbus. Information provided at the scene indicated that two teenagers were trapped inside when firefighters arrived. Both were rescued, and they and a 45-year-old man sustained serious injuries requiring specialized medical care. Your Erie reported Tuesday that one of the teenagers, 14-year-old Ethan Wisemar of Columbus, has died as a result of injuries sustained in the fire, according to the Summit County Ohio Medical Examiner’s Office.

Fire Chief Christopher Lyon also praised the responders and described the incident as difficult for those who worked at the scene.

Lyon reported that four firefighters had been taken to the hospital for evaluation. A fifth firefighter sustained injuries but did not seek medical attention. He said the firefighters were physically recovering, but the department was concerned about the emotional effects of the incident.

Lyon said he had contacted the county to arrange for a critical incident stress management team to meet with the personnel involved the following evening.

“Unfortunately, we are of the mindset that we march on no matter how we are feeling physically or mentally,” Lyon said, describing the demands placed on emergency responders following high-stress calls.

He assured council that the incident would not hinder the department’s ability to provide services.

The fire remained under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office at the time of the meeting. Lyon said officials could not provide further details about the investigation.

He asked the public to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.

Fire department records 319 calls in third quarter

Council accepted the Corry Fire Department’s report for July through September. The department recorded 319 calls during the quarter, including 218 emergency medical service calls and 101 fire or other incidents.

July accounted for 125 calls, followed by 100 in August and 94 in September. The report recorded no fire-related property loss during the quarter. Thirty-one calls overlapped with other incidents, representing approximately 10 percent of the total.

The department reported an average response time of two minutes and 46 seconds from dispatch to arrival.

Other updates included the start of hose testing, completion of a 28-hour wildland firefighting course by several members, and repairs to the front apron at Station 10. The report also noted that Engine 104 overheated at a motor vehicle accident scene because of a sheared idler pulley bolt.

Two out-of-service hydrants were identified at Gates and East Washington streets and at Maple and East Main streets.

Police report lists 341 actual offenses

Council also accespted the police department’s September report, which listed 346 offenses reported. After unfounded complaints were excluded, 341 were recorded as actual offenses.

The report included 103 disorderly-conduct offenses, 40 larceny-theft offenses, 24 driving-under-the-influence offenses and 21 offenses against families and children.

Code compliance report reviewed

The quarterly code compliance report listed 103 inspection entries, with 48 violations cited. Of those, 24 had been cleared and 24 remained outstanding.

Weeds were the most frequently reported finding, with 11 entries, followed by six findings involving rubbish or garbage. The report noted that the figures were part of a work in progress while the department tested the accuracy of its reporting and data-loading process.