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Family’s home destroyed in fire

Fire and smoke destroyed this house at 3561 Cheryl Drive in Fairfield on Saturday, March 13. Fire crews were dispatched at 11:58 p.m. Saturday and it took crews about an hour to get it under control. Fire officials said the house was 'destroyed.'

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Fire and smoke destroyed this house at 3561 Cheryl Drive in Fairfield on Saturday, March 13. Fire crews were dispatched at 11:58 p.m. Saturday and it took crews about an hour to get it under control. Fire officials said the house was 'destroyed.'

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 3:11 PM Wednesday, March 17, 2010

FAIRFIELD — It could be “awhile” before investigators figure out why a Cheryl Drive family’s home caught fire.

“It completely destroyed the entire house,” said Fairfield fire Assistant Chief Dennis Glenn.

Glenn said it could be quite some time before investigators figure out what caused the blaze at 3561 Cheryl Drive around midnight March 13.

“It’s damaged pretty good, and the more damage there is the less you have to go by,” he said.

The family was not home when crews were called at 11:58 p.m. According to Local12, the Bittners were out late for dinner with their two children and saw smoke when they arrived at the house. Sean Bittner called 911.

Springdale and West Chester Twp. fire crews assisted the 15 Fairfield firefighters battling the blaze. By the time fire crews arrived on the scene, Glenn said flames were shooting and smoke was billowing out of the rear windows.

Smoke and heat spread throughout the entire house, and the flames were confined to the first floor, Glenn said.

The fire took a little more than an hour to get under control, Glenn said. No one was injured in the fire.

The home was destroyed and the family lost everything, officials said.

According to Local12, the Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary housing and the family plans to rebuild. The home was insured. As the family has lost everything, people may make donations to assist the family at Treehouse Environment, 3275 Profit Drive, Fairfield, or a financial donation to the “Bittner Family Fund” at Fifth Third Bank.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.

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