Blaine Street fire

Van Wert firefighters were called to a working house fire in the 500 block of Blaine Street, just south of Allingham, early Friday afternoon. The Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency was also at the scene, while the County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) provided hydration and Subway sandwiches to first responders and assistance to the family of three people and two pets left homeless. CERT is seeking donations of the following items for the family: All household items, Adult male — pants, size 32/36; shirts, large; shoes 13/14; adult female — pants 3X (no jeans); shirts 3X; shoes 11; female minor — pants 10; shirts 10; shoes 1 1/2. Clothing and household items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 1116 S. Washington St. under Friday, August 16, under the name “Ringwald”. Monetary donations can be dropped off at the Van Wert County Foundation office, 138 E. Main St., under the same name. For more information, call the EMA at 419.238.1300. photos by Rick McCoy for the Van Wert independent