Structure Fire at 241 Ruth Ann Drive, Defiance Ohio 43512
On January 13th, 2026, the Defiance Fire and Rescue Division was dispatched to 241 Ruth Ann Drive for a reported structure fire. The call to the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communication Center was at 04:12:03. The initial caller was from a nearby residence at the end of the cul-de-sac. Defiance Fire and Rescue Division was assigned at 04:12:44 with an initial arrival time of 04:18:40. In addition to Defiance Fire and Rescue Division personnel, automatic mutual aid was requested from Noble Township Fire Department, South Richland Fire Department, and Highland Township Fire Department at 04:14:03. A Defiance Police officer on scene before fire crews’ arrival attempted to alert occupants. The officer was evaluated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital—no reported injuries at the time of this release.
First-arriving crews reported the residence was fully involved in fire, and they immediately began a transitional fire attack at 04:19:11. Fire crews attempted a transition to an offensive attack but were unable to move interior due to the extent of the fire. The roof had collapsed, making an interior fire attack more difficult. Fire crews took defensive measures at 04:28:50. One occupant was alerted to the fire concern and exited the structure before the fire division’s arrival. Two other occupants, both reported to be adults, were unaccounted for and believed to be in an upstairs bedroom. The fire was brought under control at 06:41. Extensive damage to the home occurred. No firefighter injuries are being reported at the time of this release.
The State of Ohio Fire Marshals’ Office was also requested to the scene by Defiance Fire and Rescue to assist with the investigation. The cause is under investigation at the time of this release. The origin appears to be in a room on the front side of the structure, according to the SFM investigator, but the cause remains under investigation. Two adult occupants, deceased, were removed from the structure this morning. Those individuals were reported to be located in the upstairs bedroom on the back side of the structure. These two individuals are under the care of the Defiance County Coroner’s office and will be transported to Lucas County for autopsies.
Our community endured the loss of two individuals this morning. We would ask for your support for the family involved, the firefighters who worked to extinguish the fire and support rescue efforts, the Defiance Police Department, and our aiding agencies from Noble Township, South Richland, and Highland Township.
The Defiance Fire and Rescue Division would like to express our thanks to the community who have already contacted us and to all the assisting agencies. We would continue to request that our community check to ensure you have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
Respectfully,
Fire Chief Shawn Wittkop
swittkop@cityofdefiance.gov
