MERCER COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - A Mercer County woman died in a house fire Tuesday night.
65-year-old Vickie Schumm was found deceased inside the home that was destroyed in the fire. According to the Montezuma fire chief, the department was called out to a home in the 8500 block of State Route 219 around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Before they arrived, the roof of the home collapsed from the blaze. Saint Marys Township and Coldwater Fire Departments were called in for mutual aid. While fire officials don't think the fire is suspicious, they called in the state fire marshal's office to help determine the cause.
January 3, 2024 Press Release from the Montezuma Fire Department: On January 2, 2023 at 2057 hrs the Montezuma Fire Department, along with the Coldwater and St Mary’s Township fire departments for mutual aid, were dispatched to a structure fire located at 8583 St Rte 219 Lot # B17, Celina, OH 45822. When the Montezuma fire department arrived on the scene, the 10’ by 20’ structure was fully involved in fire. The roof had already collapsed as well. Crews worked diligently to put the fire out. Once the fire was under control, it was learned that there was a victim inside the structure that did not make it out. The victim’s next of kin was notified by the assistance of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.
At this time the State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and 2 investigators responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
The victim was identified as Vickie J. Schumm age 65.
The Montezuma Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Coldwater and St Mary’s Township fire departments, Coldwater Squad, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Any further inquiries at this time should be directed to the State Fire Marshal’s Office as they have an open investigation into the fire.
