Condos Catch Fire In Westlake, 15 Residents Displaced

WESTLAKE, OH — A condo complex in Westlake caught fire on Sunday.

Drivers on I-90 began reporting a fire in Westlake at 11:22 a.m. Due to the drivers being on the highway, they were unable to tell dispatchers where the fire was occurring, according to Westlake Fire Chief Jim Hughes.

At 11:24, Westlake fire crews were sent to try and locate the fire. At 11:25 a.m., callers gave an exact address for the flames — the Courtyard Condominiums. Crews arrived at the scene at 11:26 a.m., Hughes said.

Flames were coming from the third floor of the complex, Hughes said, and extended onto the roof. Westlake police helped residents and pets living in the building get to safety.

"The first arriving [fire] companies attempted to make an aggressive interior fire attack. The fire was too advanced and the crews retreated to a defensive posture," Hughes said.

After crews began receiving aid from neighboring fire departments, the flames were brought under control. It took crews 90 minutes to extinguish the flames.

The cities of Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, and Rocky River sent fire crews to the scene. The Red Cross was also called to help 15 displaced residents.

The State Fire Marshal and Westlake Fire Department are investigating the cause of the fire.