MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Marion Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Marion Rotary Towers, located at 400 Delaware Ave. The alarm was received at 2:24 AM, prompting an immediate response.
Assistant Chief Redmon arrived on the scene four minutes later to find a 10-story residential high-rise with multiple activated smoke alarms on the third floor. Fire crews quickly investigated and discovered heavy smoke in the hallway, emanating from a single apartment door. The situation was quickly upgraded to a working high-rise fire, and additional units were requested.
Upon entering the apartment, firefighters found an elderly male victim unresponsive in a wheelchair. Rescue efforts were initiated, and he was swiftly removed from the apartment and assessed by medical personnel from Medic 27, who confirmed the victim had already succumbed to his injuries.
Firefighters successfully extinguished a fire in the apartment using multiple water cans and conducted thorough overhauls of the area.
Crews ventilated the stairwells and conducted searches of the floors above for any additional victims. Fortunately, the fire was contained to the room of origin.
Approximately 10 individuals were evaluated for smoke inhalation, with one requiring transport for minor injuries. An additional patient was also transported from the scene due to an unrelated illness.
The Marion Fire Department received assistance from the Marion Township Fire Department Medic 303 and Pleasant Township Medic 407. The Marion Police Department, Marion County Coroner’s Office, and Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to the incident.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but smoking near medical oxygen is strongly suspected.
Medical-grade oxygen is highly flammable and can accelerate fire growth; smoking while using medical oxygen is strictly prohibited.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Marion Fire Department is actively collaborating with Marion Towers management to address future smoking-related hazards in the facility. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured during the incident.