🔥 URGENT: 12 Ohio State Students Evacuated After Off-Campus Apartment Fire in Columbus
**Columbus, Ohio – July 22, 2025 —** A tense scene unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a **fire erupted in an off-campus apartment building** near **Ohio State University (OSU)**, prompting the urgent **evacuation of 12 students**. Authorities confirmed that the blaze, which broke out shortly before 3:30 AM, was brought under control after a rapid response from the **Columbus Division of Fire**, but the damage was significant.
According to officials, the fire occurred at a **three-story apartment complex** located just a few blocks from the university’s central campus, a common housing spot for students due to its proximity and affordability. Witnesses said the flames spread rapidly, engulfing a portion of the top floor and sending thick black smoke across the neighborhood.
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### 🔥 What Happened?
Students who lived in the building reported being awakened by the sound of **smoke alarms** and the sight of smoke seeping through their doors and windows.
> “It was terrifying. I heard the alarm and thought it was a drill, but when I opened the door, there was smoke everywhere,” said **Lindsay Martin**, a third-year Psychology major at OSU. “We grabbed our phones and ran.”
The Columbus Division of Fire said they received the first emergency call at **3:27 AM**, and units arrived on scene within **six minutes**. Firefighters quickly began evacuating residents and working to extinguish the fire, which had already begun to compromise part of the building’s roof.
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### 🚒 Firefighters’ Swift Response
Fire Chief **Derrick Simmons** praised the **heroic actions** of the responding crew, who ensured that all residents were safely evacuated.
> “Thanks to the immediate response and cooperation of the residents, no lives were lost. Our firefighters did an incredible job under intense pressure,” he stated during a press briefing.
Twelve students were officially evacuated, while other residents from nearby buildings were also temporarily asked to leave their apartments as a precaution. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, though **two students were treated for minor smoke inhalation** on-site and released.
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### 🏚️ Damage and Investigation
Preliminary assessments suggest that the fire **originated on the third floor**, possibly in a kitchen unit, though the **exact cause remains under investigation** by fire marshals. Officials are also reviewing whether the building complied with up-to-date **fire safety codes**, as concerns have been raised by local residents about **old wiring and outdated alarms**.
The complex, which houses mostly students from Ohio State, suffered **significant damage to at least four apartment units**, rendering them temporarily uninhabitable. Tenants were seen gathering belongings in the early morning light, many visibly shaken.
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### 🧑‍🎓 Student and University Reaction
Ohio State University released an official statement later in the morning:
> “We are relieved that no students were seriously injured in last night’s fire. The university is working closely with the affected students to provide temporary housing, counseling, and academic support as needed.”
University housing officials are collaborating with local property owners to help **relocate the displaced students**, and the school has also activated its **Emergency Student Relief Fund** for those in need of essentials such as clothes, books, and electronics.
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### 🤝 Community Support and Next Steps
Neighbors and student groups have already begun organizing support, with some offering spare rooms and transportation. Local nonprofit groups, including **Buckeye HelpLine**, have pledged to offer emergency aid.
Meanwhile, fire safety advocates are calling on property owners in the university district to **review their fire prevention strategies**, citing aging buildings and poor maintenance as a growing concern.
> “This could have ended much worse. Landlords and city officials need to take this as a wake-up call,” said **Michelle Harmon**, a student safety advocate.
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### 🔍 Ongoing Developments
Authorities say a full investigation is underway and that **updates on the fire’s origin, property inspections, and structural assessments** will be released in the coming days. No charges or violations have been issued yet.
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### đź“ť Conclusion
The early morning apartment fire near **Ohio State University** has left a community deeply shaken but grateful that tragedy was averted. While the physical damage is extensive, the incident has also highlighted the **importance of preparedness, fast emergency response, and community solidarity** in times of crisis.
As the 12 displaced students begin the process of recovery and resettlement, Ohio State and its surrounding community are rallying together to ensure they are not left behind.
🗞️ *Stay tuned for updates from OSU, local authorities, and the Columbus Fire Department as the investigation continues.*
