Elderly Man Rescued from West Price Hill House Fire

Victim in critical condition after firefighters pull him from blaze

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An elderly man was rescued from a large house fire in Cincinnati's West Price Hill neighborhood early Wednesday morning and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. Firefighters initially searched the home floor by floor but had to pull back when the fire intensified, leading to a second alarm being called to bring in more resources.

Why it matters

House fires in the West Price Hill area have become a recurring issue, with several severe incidents reported in recent years that have caused heavy damage and sent victims to the hospital. This latest blaze underscores the ongoing challenges facing first responders in the neighborhood when it comes to quickly containing fast-moving residential fires.

The details

According to officials, the fire broke out just before 6:30 a.m. in the 4900 block of Western Hills Avenue. Firefighters found the elderly man inside the home and pulled him out, but he was in critical condition when transported to the hospital. Crews initially searched the house floor by floor but had to switch to exterior operations when the fire intensified, leading to a second alarm being called to bring in additional firefighters and equipment.

  • The fire broke out just before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Matt Flagler

Assistant Fire Chief with the Cincinnati Fire Department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Firefighters found the man inside the home, pulled him out, and took him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition.”

— Matt Flagler, Assistant Fire Chief (FOX19 NOW)

What’s next

Officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and they are expected to release more information as the probe continues.

The takeaway

This latest severe house fire in West Price Hill highlights the ongoing challenges facing first responders in the neighborhood when it comes to quickly containing fast-moving residential blazes, underscoring the need for continued fire safety education and prevention efforts in the community.