STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — An early-morning structure fire brought a large emergency response to the area of Lawson Avenue and State Street on Sept. 12, as firefighters battled a heavily involved two-story home and police investigated activity reported near the property.
The fire was reported shortly after 1 a.m. Responding firefighters described the two-story wooden structure as fully involved upon arrival. Multiple fire crews, police officers and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
Because of the extent of the flames, firefighters initially used an exterior attack. Crews continued applying water from several positions, including an aerial ladder, as they worked to bring the fire under control.
During the response, dispatchers reviewed available camera footage from around the time the fire was reported. According to emergency radio traffic, footage showed a man wearing a hood walking along Lawson Avenue before crossing the street and approaching the property.
Police began searching the surrounding area while firefighters continued working. Authorities reported having an image of the individual and considered the possibility that he may have traveled through a nearby alley.
A fire inspector was contacted and later arrived at the scene. Police also spoke with at least one person who reportedly had information related to the fire. Radio traffic later indicated that an item described as a hoodie was collected as evidence.
At approximately 2:39 a.m., police reported that one person had been taken into custody and was being transported to the Jefferson County jail. The available information does not establish what charges, if any, were filed or whether the individual was determined to have caused the fire.
Firefighters reported the fire extinguished shortly before 3 a.m. and remained at the property for mop-up and cleanup operations. The property owner was later contacted and arrived at the scene.
No confirmed information about injuries or the cause of the fire was immediately available.
The circumstances surrounding the fire remained under investigation based on the information available at the time.
