Champaign County, OH (March 14, 2026) – Two infants were rescued from a vehicle that caught fire following a crash at the intersection of State Route 4 and Hawk Road.
Emergency units were called to the scene around 11:50 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Deputies arriving first found the vehicle engulfed in flames, with two babies trapped inside. Deputy B. Ramsey broke the back window and used a fire extinguisher and rescue shears to free one of the infants from a car seat harness. Medic Thad Davis assisted, and both babies were quickly removed seconds before the fire spread throughout the passenger compartment.
The baby boy was airlifted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the baby girl was transported by medics to the same hospital for treatment. The driver, identified as Anthony Blankenship, showed signs of alcohol consumption and was taken into custody by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI). A dog inside the vehicle did not survive the fire.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
Our thoughts are with the infants and their families as they recover.
How First Responders Save Lives in Vehicle Fires
Vehicle fires are extremely dangerous, as flames can spread quickly and release toxic smoke. Infants and small children are particularly vulnerable because they cannot escape on their own. First responders are trained to act swiftly, breaking windows, using fire extinguishers, and cutting seat belt harnesses to remove trapped passengers safely.
Rapid coordination between law enforcement, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to prevent fatalities in these situations. Even a few seconds can make the difference between life and death, highlighting the importance of quick, decisive action when a vehicle is on fire.
