Officer Critical After Fire Rescue

A Warren (Ohio) police officer and three residents of a group home remain in critical condition after an arson fire trapped them on the third floor of the residence. Off. Doug Hipple arrived at 3:22 a.m. to find the house in flames, and entered after neighbors said persons were trapped. He was able to herd three women to an upstairs room, but the group became trapped there until rescued by firefighters. All suffered smoke inhalation and burns. A car was seen speeding from the area before the fire, which started on the front porch. Listen (mp3) to the telephone and radio traffic, including Off. Hipple’s radio transmissions for help.