BAZETTA Couple, dog escape safely from early morning fire

BAZETTA -- A couple in their 20s and a dog escaped without injury as their 2820 Warren Meadville Road home was destroyed by fire.
Lt. Brian Taylor of the Bazetta Township Fire Department said the couple was alerted to the 4:48 a.m. Saturday fire when the man was awakened by his own coughing. There were no smoke detectors in the home. One firefighter injured a shoulder fighting the blaze and was treated at St. Joseph Health Center. Responding with Bazetta were firefighters from Cortland, Howland, Champion and Mecca.
The local chapter of the American Red Cross was called in to assist the couple. The fire was difficult to fight because the house had been remodeled and had two roofs, Taylor said. He said other remodeling projects created "hot spots" within the structure and added to the difficulty.
Taylor said the fire was under control by about 5:45 a.m., and investigators stayed on scene until about 2 p.m. The Trumbull County Arson Task Force and state fire marshal's office are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.