Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Shoreline Apartments
2250-2280 E. Elm St., on Thursday, June 22, 2022 at 2:48 P.M. The apartments are owned by
Brad and Wanda Augsburger of Lima.
Upon arrival, units observed very heavy smoke and flames coming from unit 2272 with several
other units already heavily involved.
It took firefighters over two hours to bring the fire under control with assistance from the
following departments: American Township, City of Lima, Perry Township, Cairo-Monroe
Township, and Lafayette-Jackson Township. (Additional firefighters were called in due to the
mid-90 degree temperatures.)
A preliminary damage estimate of $450,000 has been set by the fire department. In all, six units
suffered fire damage and one suffered water damage only.
No occupants or firefighters were injured. Multiple residents are being assisted by the American
Red Cross.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and remains under investigation.
Units remained on scene for about four hours.
Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Department Responds Fire at Ford Motor Company, Lima Engine Plant
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Ford Motor Company,
Lima Engine Plant on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 9:33 P.M. The plant is located at 1155 Bible
Road, Lima, Ohio.
Upon arrival, units observed smoke coming from the building through doors on the Sugar Street
side of the plant. The building’s fire protection system activated and the majority of the fire was
extinguished by the sprinkler system.
The Ford Motor Company’s Emergency Response Team had evacuated the plant due to the fire.
Bath firefighters along with Ford employees were able to get the fire under totally control within
about 30 minutes. The Lima Fire Dept. and American Twp. Fire Dept. were called to assist.
A damage estimate was not available at the time of this release pending an investigation by Ford
officials.
No Ford employees or firefighters were injured.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and remains under investigation.
Units remained on scene for about two and half hours.
Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Department Responds to House Fire
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 105 Plaza Way, Lima,
Ohio, in Bath Township at 5:42 P.M. on 5/31/22.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire coming from the front porch and garage
area. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to contain the fire.
The house is owned by Joe Sexton who was home at the time of the fire, along with other family
members. No occupants were injured.
The house suffered heavy damage to the front porch, kitchen, and garage.
The homeowner reported that the property is insured. Fire department officials estimate the
damage at 20,000.00 to the contents and $60,000.00 to the structure.
Firefighters were on the scene for about one hour. The fire is not suspicious and remains under
investigation for an exact cause.
No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department, Perry Township Fire
Department, and American Township Fire Department were called to the scene for mutual aid.
The family is being assisted by the Red Cross.
Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Hydrant Maintenance
Bath Township Fire Department personnel will be conducting spring fire hydrant maintenance and flushing on all township hydrants beginning Monday, May 9, 2022. Testing will last about three weeks.
Residents may notice discoloration of water when the flushing takes place in their neighborhood. If you experience a discoloration of water, turn on your plumbing fixtures until the water runs clear. It is best to run an outdoor fixture, or a cold-water tap in a laundry tub or bathtub first until the water runs clear and then run water from other fixtures.
The fire department realizes that hydrant flushing may cause some inconvenience, however, the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for firefighting and to ensure that the hydrants are in good working order. The community’s cooperation with the annual fire hydrant flushing program is appreciated.
Contact information:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Denny Wilkins, Road Supervisor: 419-221-1797
Bath Township Fire Department 2022 Mock Crash
The Bath Township Fire Department and Bath High School Interact Club will hold its bi-annual
Mock Crash for prom and graduation awareness on Friday, April 29th, 2022, at 9:00 A.M. at Bath
High School. The program, which began in 1995, has become a tradition for all BHS juniors and
seniors.
Additional agencies participating include: Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center and Life
Flight, Lima Memorial Health System, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Allen County Sheriff’s
Office, Chiles Laman Funeral Home, Cairo Auto Barn, and the Lima-Allen County Safe
Community Coalition.
The goal of this program is to educate students and the community about the horrible
consequences of distracted and impaired driving. Fire, EMS, and law enforcement officials will
recreate an automobile accident, using students as victims with as much realism as possible.
The scenario will include a “DOA”, an arrested “distracted and impaired driver”, and two
critically injured victims in need of medical care.
Chief Joe Kitchen stated, “It is our hope that the students have a safe and memorable prom and
graduation season, free of accidents, injuries, and tragedy related to making poor decisions.”
Bath High School Interact Advisor Missy Vandemark said, “The students in our club care about
their fellow classmates and want to highlight the potential serious consequences of both impaired
and distracted driving. We believe that this mock crash is one of our most important activities.”
Note: Bible Road, in the area of the Bath Local Schools campus will be closed for about 20
minutes to through traffic.
Contact:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Fire Chief – 419-221-0550
Missy Vandemark, Bath High School Interact – (419) 221-0807
Bath Township Fire Department Responds to Mobile Home Fire
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a mobile home on fire at 2145 N. Dixie Hwy. Lot #49, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 1:13 A.M.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the mobile home heavily involved with fire and smoke showing.
The mobile home is rented by Mark Kuglarz and is owned by Best Deal Rentals LLC, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. No one was home at time of the fire and there were no injuries. None of the parties reported having insurance.
Chief Joseph Kitchen estimates the damage to Lot #49 to be $7,000 to the structure and $3,000 to the contents.
No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department, Beaverdam/Richland Twp. Fire Department, and Perry Twp. Fire Department assisted at the scene of the fire.
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation.
Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours. The tenants are being assisted by the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Department Responds to Chimney Fire
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a chimney fire at 2261 Ada Rd. Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 10:13 P.M. on 1/16/21.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from the chimney. The heat from the fire had extended from the chimney into the adjacent wall. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to contain the fire.
The house is owned by Christopher Rittenhouse who was home at the time of the fire. He was not injured.
The house suffered damage to the chimney and the room containing it.
The homeowner reported that the property is insured. Fire department officials estimate the damage at 3,000.00 to the contents and $17,000.00 to the structure.
Firefighters were on the scene for about one hour.
No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department, Perry Township Fire Department, and American Township Fire Department were called to the scene for mutual aid.
Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Department Responds Fire at Dana Corporation
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a 911 report of a fire at the Dana Corporation this morning at 4:14 A.M. The plant is located at 777 Bible Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township.
Upon arrival, units observed heavy smoke and fire coming from a building located directly behind the main plant.
Dana Corporation management and security staff had evacuated the entire plant prior to the arrival of the fire department. Bath firefighters were able to get the fire under control within about 15 minutes. The fire was located in a building which housed the plant’s main compressor system but did not extend into the main manufacturing plant.
An exact damage estimate was not available at the time of this release pending an investigation by Dana officials, however preliminary estimates are $500,000 to $750,000.
No Dana Corporation employees or fire department personnel were injured.
The cause of the fire was not determined; however it is not suspicious. Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.
Bath Township was assisted by the Lima Fire Department and American Township Fire Department.
Contact Person: Joseph Kitchen – 419-221-0550
Bath Township Fire Department Announces Firefighter of the Year
The Bath Township Fire Department held its annual awards dinner and ceremony, on December 10, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. at Union Chapel Missionary Church.
This year’s firefighter of the year is Inspector Ken Meyer. His fellow firefighters nominated him for the award based on his dedication to the department. Ken is responsible for fire prevention, public education, plans review, and fire inspection.
He began is career with the Bath Township Fire Department in 1995 and has held the positions of lieutenant, captain, and is currently serving as inspector.
Chief Kitchen said, “Ken is a vital part of the organization, and we truly value his leadership.”
Contact Person: Joseph Kitchen – 419-221-0550
Area Firefighters Complete Leadership Training
From November 30th through December 2nd, 2021, Bath Township Fire Department hosted an Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association class called “Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” for firefighters from all over Ohio.
The course uses John Maxwell’s leadership principles and applies them to fire service issues. The class is a combination of lectures and post class assignments.
Local participants included; Doug Beck and Gabe Sutton from the City of Lima Fire Department, Christie Kerby and Kevin Markward from Bath Township Fire Department, Blake Neu from the American Township Fire Department, and the following firefighters from the Wapakoneta Fire Department; Jared Goubeaux, Kevin Bellman, Eric Semmetinger, Jacob Shook, and Atrayu Wolter.