Wednesday, July 20, 2016

House fire
Three Dunkirk firetrucks and eight firefighters responded to a house fire early this morning.
Dunkirk Fire Department received a 3:37 a.m. call for the fire at 326 E. Ohio St., and arrived on scene three minutes later.
The fire was caused by an electrical shortage in a second story air conditioner unit. The fire was under control at 3:50 a.m., and the firefighters left the scene at 4:48 a.m.
Damage is mostly confined to the second floor of the house. However, the first floor also has smoke and water damage.

One injured
A Portland woman was injured this morning after her Chevrolet Cavalier struck a utility pole in Wayne Township.
Kala Stevens, 24, 239 E. North St., told Jay County Sheriff’s Office she was traveling north on county road 200 West when she dropped her phone. She said she looked away from the road to pick up the phone and was off the road when she looked back up.
She continued north off of county road 200 West in her 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier and hit a sign and utility pole before the vehicle came to rest.
Stevens reported back pain but refused medical treatment.
Damage in the 12:31 a.m. accident is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Backing accident
Two Jay County residents were involved in a backing accident Tuesday evening in Wayne Township.
Justin D. Dirksen, 19, 6432 W. 50 South, Portland, told Jay County Sheriff’s Office he was westbound on county road 200 South when he missed his turn at Blaine Pike. He then stopped and began backing the 2006 Chevrolet truck he was driving. While backing, the Chevrolet struck a 2014 Buick.
Mary E. Graham, 386 W. Washington St., Dunkirk, was driving the Buick. She said she was turning west on county road 200 South from Blaine Pike when she saw Dirksen backing up the truck and was unable to avoid a collision.
The Chevrolet is registered to Tina M. Dirksen, of the same address.
Damage in the 5:30 p.m. collision is estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.

Railroad crash
A semi was struck by a railroad crossing guard Tuesday in Portland.
Michael L. Burch, Coldwater, Ohio, told Portland police there were flagmen working on railroad signs on Meridian Street, near Union Street, and that he was told to wait for the crossing arms to go up and stop flashing. When he crossed the track, the 2004 semi was struck by a malfunctioning crossing guard.
Burch said he didn’t notice the strike and continued driving. A witness stated the crossing guard struck the semi in the area between its cab and trailer.
The Freightliner semi is registered to Wilcox Trucking LLC, Coldwater, Ohio.
Damage in the 3:54 p.m. accident is estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.

Failure to yield
A Portland man’s van was hit Tuesday morning on Wayne Street after a Mooreland woman failed to yield.
Mikel A. Miller, 24, 419 S. Helen St., was traveling north in a 2014 Dodge Caravan on Wayne Street when it was struck by a 2007 Jeep Liberty.
Rebecca P. Dishman, 6421 N. Wilbur Wright Road, Mooreland, was driving the Jeep and told Portland police she stopped at the stop sign on Main Street and proceeded into the intersection, not seeing the van.
The van is registered to Todd S. Miller, 1763 E. 400 South, Portland.
Damage in the 7:08 a.m. accident is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.