Bath Township Fire Department Responds to House Fire

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire located at 4890 Stewart Rd., Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 12:33 P.M. on 4/3/21.


Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the home.


The house is a mobile home owned by Troy and Lori Hooks. Lori and their adult son were home at the time of the fire and escaped with their dog. Lori was treated at the scene for minor injuries.


The house suffered significant damage throughout and is a complete loss. Chief Joseph Kitchen stated that winds at the time were approximately 20mph and hindered extinguishment efforts.


Fire department officials estimate the damage at $10,000 to the contents and $25,000.00 to the structure. Additional damage was done to four vehicles and two motorcycles. The owner does not have insurance.


No occupants or fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department, American Township Fire Department, Beaverdam-Richland Fire Department, and Cairo-Monroe Township Fire Department were called to the scene for automatic aid.


The Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family.


The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.


Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Twp. F.D. Receives FEMA Fire Act Grant Funding

The Bath Township Fire Department is pleased to announce that they have received $26,419.05 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The funds will be used to replace a portion of the department’s fire hose and firefighting nozzles. The department plans to upgrade and modernize their hose and nozzle capabilities. This new equipment will replace older hose and nozzle inventory, some dating back to the early 1990’s.

Chief Joe Kitchen said, “This grant will allow us to procure much needed equipment to help our personnel to do their jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible. When seconds matter, this equipment could make all the difference.”

The Department of Homeland Security is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)

Contact information:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

September 1, 2020

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Bath Township Fire Department Responds to House Fire

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire located at 1203 N. McKinley St., Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 2:46 P.M. on 8/20/20.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke coming from the eves of the home.

The house is a two unit rental property owned by Sam Owsley of Lima, Ohio and is being rented by Tia Legg who was not home at the time of the fire.

The house suffered heat and smoke damage throughout, with the majority of the fire damage contained to one bedroom.

Fire department officials estimate the damage at $1,000.00 to the contents and $5,000.00 to the structure. The owner does not have insurance on the house and the renter does not have insurance on the contents.

The property No occupants or fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department and American Township Fire Department were called to the scene for mutual aid.

The Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department Responds to Motel Fire

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at
1250 Neubrecht Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 9:58 P.M., on 8/2/20. This address is the location of the Roadway Inn Motel.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke and flames coming from a second story stairwell.

The stairwell and the immediate area suffered heat, smoke, and water damage. Smoke from the fire filled the second story hallways. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to fully extinguish the fire which was reported by an employee who dialed 9-1-1.

Hotel occupants had evacuated prior to arrival of the fire department.

The property is owned by Mike Patel dba OM Sheev LLC of Lima, Ohio.
No fire department personnel or hotel guests were injured.

The fire department estimates damage to the structure in the amount of $10,000. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Kitchen Reelected to Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association Board of Directors

Bath Township Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen has been reelected to a three year term on the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association Board of Directors. The Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association is a statewide organization supporting the interests of Ohio’s fire chief officers. Through a variety of programs and services, the Association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication, information exchange, and peer networking opportunities.

Kitchen has been a member of the Association since 2002 and serves on multiple committees and work groups.

Contact information:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department Responds Fire at Dana Corporation

May 28, 2020
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Dana Corporation this morning at 9:45 A.M. The plant is located at 777 Bible Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township.

Upon arrival, units observed light smoke coming from the building through doors at the ground level.

Dana Corporation management and security staff had evacuated the entire plant due to the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department. Bath firefighters along with Dana maintenance employees and the Lima Fire Department were able to get the fire under control within about 30 minutes. The fire was located in a furnace which is used as part of their manufacturing process. The plant sprinkler system had activated as well.
A damage estimate was not available at the time of this release pending an investigation by Dana officials.

No Dana Corporation employees or fire department personnel were injured.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and is not suspicious.

Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

Bath Township Fire Hydrant Maintenance 2020

Fire Department personnel from several area agencies will be conducting spring fire hydrant maintenance and flushing on area township and city fire hydrants beginning Friday, May 1, 2020. Testing will last about three to four weeks in the City of Lima, City of Delphos, American Township, Bath Township, Perry Township, and Shawnee Township. Fire hydrant maintenance will take place during regular business hours.

Operations at all fire departments have been modified in many ways due to the COVID-19 outbreak and your local firefighters will be working hard to comply with all social distancing recommendations while conducting this work.

Residents may notice some 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 departments realize that hydrant flushing may cause some minor 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:
Brian Berheide, Lima Fire Dept. Deputy Fire Chief: 419-221-5151
Joseph Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Tom Hadding, American Township Fire Chief: 419-339-3921
Justin Roberts, Perry Township Fire Chief: 419-221-2345 Kevin Streets, Delphos Fire & Rescue Chief: 419-695-2911
Todd Truesdale, Shawnee Township Fire Chief: 419-222-2986

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Bath Township Fire Department Responds to Mobile Home Fire

April 23, 2020

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a mobile home on fire at 2145 N. Dixie Hwy. Lot #109, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 2:53 P.M.


Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire in the rear bedroom of the structure. The fire was knocked down within about 10 minutes.

The mobile home is rented by Debra Moreno and is owned by Brandi Orwig of Lancaster, KY. Ms. Moreno and her grandson were home at the time of the fire and escaped with no injuries.

Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen estimates the damage to be $4,000 to the structure and $2,000 to the contents. The renter advised she has no insurance and the owner reported that she is also uninsured.

No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department and the Lafayette-Jackson Township Fire Department assisted at the scene of the fire.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation, however, it is not suspicious.

Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours. The tenant is being assisted by the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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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 #62, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 11:48 A.M.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire at the rear of the structure. The fire was knocked down within about 15 minutes.The mobile home is rented by Kathleen Jones and is owned by Gary Stites of London, Ohio. Ms. Jones was home at the time of the fire and escaped with no injuries.Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen estimates the damage to be $3,000 to the structure and $1,000 to the contents. The renter advised she has no insurance and the park manager advised that it is unknown if the structure is insured.

No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office 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 tenant is being assisted by the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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