Columbus, OH (January 23, 2026) – Two individuals were hospitalized following an early morning apartment fire on Friday in north Columbus that left one victim in critical condition.
Fire crews with the Columbus Division of Fire responded to the scene just before 7 a.m., after receiving reports of a fire originating in the kitchen area of an apartment unit. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already been extinguished, but the building was still filled with heavy smoke, prompting immediate evacuation and emergency medical assessment.
Crews worked quickly to ventilate the structure and locate any affected individuals. Emergency personnel transported two victims from the scene to Riverside Methodist Hospital. According to fire officials, one individual is reported to be in stable condition, while the other remains in critical condition.
Authorities have not released the names of those injured, and it is currently unclear what sparked the fire. Investigators are working to determine the cause and evaluate whether any building code violations may have contributed to the incident.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. We hope for a full and swift recovery for those affected.
