Fire crews in Licking County fight brutal conditions in Newark fire

LICKING COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Newark firefighters along with crews from across the county worked together Sunday morning to fight a two-alarm fire on S. Morris St. in downtown Newark.

Newark Assistant Fire Chief David Decker said when his crews first arrived on scene around 2 a.m. flames were stretching out of the windows of the two-story apartment building. The building had four apartments inside. Everyone made it out of the building safely.

"When we arrived there was about 22 mph winds," Decker said. "We had fire coming sideways out of the building. We call that a wind-driven fire. Because of the wind, the flames started to blow throughout the building very quickly."

Investigators are still working to find out how the fire started. Decker said it is not easy bracing for the cold temperatures, but the weather is no match for his crew.

"These guys are home run hitters," Decker said. "I work for a great fire department. I have a great group of guys here who give it 100 percent every single day."