Cigarette ignites house fire

UPPER SANDUSKY -— Two people escaped a house fire with the help of passersby Friday evening. Around 8:40 p.m., the Upper Sandusky Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 9800 block of Township Road 121 Friday. The structure was fully engulfed when first responders arrived. Four people who happened to be driving by when they observed the flames said they helped the residents, Dianna and Jay Cee Splawn, escape the fire, according to a report from the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office. Two of the witnesses said they were driving to their apartment in Upper Sandusky when they noticed the fire. The report said the witnesses located the Splawns attempting to exit the residence through the back deck. The witnesses assisted the victims down the deck stairs and into the yard. Diana and Jay Cee were transported to Wyandot Memorial Hospital for smoke-related injuries. According to the sheriff's office, Diana said she had been smoking a cigarette while sitting on the couch. Diana said her hand twitched, causing her to drop the cigarette, which fell next to an oxygen hose nearby, according to the report. The fire was determined to be accidental and no foul play was involved.