Firefighter, man injured in Campbell fire

CAMPBELL — A fire destroyed a house on Whipple Avenue, slightly injuring the homeowner and a firefighter.

The fire broke out at 3:15 p.m. today, and a police officer on patrol who saw the smoke called the fire department, said department Capt. Greg Rosile.

The department called in tanker trucks from Coitsville and Western Reserve Joint Fire District of Poland because the department wasn’t sure there would be enough water, he said. There were several waterline breaks in the city in recent days, he added.

Rosile said the fire started while homeowner Lamar Harris was trying to cook on a propane camping stove in his bedroom. The propane wasn’t connected properly and it came loose, shooting flames under his bed. The rest of the house caught fire, Rosile said.

Harris was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for treatment for smoke inhalation. A firefighter was burned when hot tar dripped on his neck, but was expected to be fine, Rosile added.