"57 Radio, tell them to step it up. We can't get out."
That was one of the last radio transmissions from Warren Patrol Officer Doug Hipple, who was trapped inside a Bonnie Brae group home after he ran inside the burning two story house to help save the three mentally challenged women who lived there.
A minute later, his supervisor arrived at the house and tried to help.
"Code four, bust a window, get on the roof, Doug," said Sgt. Martin Gargas.
But at that point, Hipple could no longer respond. Firefighters arrived a few minutes later and were able to get Hipple, and the three women, Donna Cassidy, Sherre Egry, and Melissa Watson out of the burning home. All four are in the hospital with serious injuries.
Firefighters and members of the state fire marshall's have ruled the fire an arson.
"Hipple did what he thought was the right thing to do to serve the people of the community, and at his own peril, he entered the home," said Acting Chief Tim Bowers.
Mayor Mike O'Brien, Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin and Fire Chief Ken Nussle agreed with Bowers and say their prayers are with all the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, members of the firefighters union tell us they are angry with administrators saying a fire station closest to the house was closed because there are not enough people to staff it due to layoffs. "There was a delayed response; five minutes from downtown. We have a station down the street and could have been here in under two minutes easy, extra three to four minute delay in response," said Marc Titus, President of the firefighters union.
The union's vice-president agrees. "We can only do what they let us do," said Bill Monrean. "This isn't the last time it is going to happen. It will affect us all year."
Councilman Bob Dean says he believes something needs to be done to get more revenue so laid off firefighters can return to work. The mayor says he is applying for grants and trying to work with state and federal officials for more money.
