Correction: Due to a reporter s error, this story has been edited to show Marion currently does have a Fire Chief Association and that Chief Ben Meddles would like to see this group meet more regularly and formally.
With a rift between two local fire departments now brought to light, Marion Township Fire Department Chief Ben Meddles wants to see change.
John Bailey II, 55, of Marion died that night in the fire. When fire officials arrived on-scene, the house was already fully engulfed in the blaze with the roof collapsing. Since Bailey was located upstairs in the house, firefighters were unable to execute a rescue attempt. Meddles said this wasn t to the fault of SVFD; even if they would ve responded, Meddles said Bailey had more than likely already died before Marion Township could start applying water.
According to the events report from the Marion County Sheriff s Office, the Easter morning house fire on the 4700 block of Seiter Road began at 5:35 a.m. and Marion Township Fire Department was the first on-scene putting water on the flames at 5:50 a.m. Shortly after firefighters arrived, dispatcher audio obtained by the Marion Star shows a call was made to SVFD for an EMS vehicle and an extra water tanker.
In the dispatch audio, SVFD Chief Paul Kerr said his unit would not be responding to the fire, nor would they supply the additional emergency vehicles that were requested. He also took a slight at New Vision by calling them No Vision during the call.
Marion City Firefighter Wade Ralph retires after lengthy career marionstar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from marionstar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021 around 1:08 p.m., officers from the Marion Police Department responded to 338 Latourette Street for a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers found Michael D. Birchfield, age 38, had a gunshot wound in his torso.
Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting on Latourette Street in Marion | Buckeye Country 94 3 WMRN-FM iheart.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from iheart.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.