Columbus House Fire Leaves Man Dead, 3 Girls Critical: Reports

COLUMBUS, OH — A fire swept through a duplex in Columbus' Hilltop section, leaving a man dead and three girls in critical condition, according to reports.

The blaze broke outaround 1 a.m. Thursday on Midland Avenue, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter said a woman escaped the burning home and a man was found dead on the second floor.

Firefighters reportedly rescued three girls, ages 7, 8 and 10, on the second floor as well. All three were hospitalized in critical, but stable, condition.

The house was destroyed. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.