Fire Captain Michael A. Washington reported on a one alarm structure fire which occurred this morning in Over-The-Rhine. At 10:31 AM the Cincinnati Fire Communication Center received a telephone call reporting a structure fire at E. Liberty and Walnut Streets.

Initial arriving fire units discovered medium smoke showing from the first floor of a three-story brick and joist vacant apartment building. The origin of the fire was located in an entryway outside the building. The fire did enter the building via an outside wall firefighters forced entry and extinguished a small amount of fire.

Firefighters searched the building for any persons, none were found. A homeless person was taken into custody for illegal trespassing outside the property. There were no firefighters or civilians reported injured. The Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit is investigating this fire. The cause is listed as “Undetermined”. Twenty-eight firefighters were utilized at this incident.

It is imperative that if anyone witnesses persons illegally occupying vacant or foreclosed properties, please notify your local law enforcement agency.

For further information please contact District-One Fire Chief Randy Freel at: (513) 352-2311 or the Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit at: (513) 352-1685