2 Hospitalized After Pataskala House Fire

Firefighter and resident injured as blaze causes total loss of home

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A house fire in Pataskala, Ohio on Saturday evening sent one resident and one firefighter to the hospital. The fire, which started in the basement and spread to the first floor, required around 60 firefighters to battle the blaze in freezing temperatures that caused equipment issues and hindered their efforts.

Why it matters

House fires can have devastating impacts on families and communities, and this incident highlights the dangers firefighters face when responding to such emergencies, especially in extreme weather conditions that can complicate rescue and containment efforts.

The details

Crews were called to the home in the 4800 block of Columbia Road SW just after 5 PM for a two-alarm fire. Firefighters found a 'heavily involved basement fire' that had spread to the first floor, and they were able to rescue one person trapped inside. That resident was transported to Wexner Medical Center in unknown condition. Another occupant who was already outside was unharmed. One firefighter from the initial crew was taken to Mount Carmel East for injuries but was later released. The home was deemed a total loss after a structural collapse occurred.

  • The fire was reported just after 5 PM on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

Joe Krouse

Assistant Fire Chief who provided details on the incident.

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What they’re saying

“The cold is definitely an impact. Your hoses start to freeze, and your personnel are getting cold. They're covered in ice because they're wet from flowing water. You start slipping and falling.”

— Joe Krouse, Assistant Fire Chief (WHIO)

What’s next

Fire officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the immense challenges firefighters face when battling blazes in extreme winter conditions, which can hinder their ability to safely and effectively respond to emergencies and put both first responders and residents at greater risk of harm.