ELYRIA — Firefighters are on the scene of a fatal house fire at 443 West River Road North in Elyria.

A 54-year-old man removed from the home is dead, according to Elyria Fire Chief Rich Benton. No other victims were found during a primary search of the home.

Benton said the man is believed to be Frank Sabol, and Frank Sabol is listed with the Lorain County auditor’s office as the owner and occupant of the home.

Listen to scanner audio traffic from the fire. (Clip is edited for length and content. Total elapsed time is about an hour and a half.)

The fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived. Flames could be seen shooting out of multiple windows and there was very heavy smoke.

Firefighters first reported they were mounting an offensive attack on the fire and had a search in progress for a person or persons believed to be in the home.

A person was taken out of the home all bundled up and on a stretcher and was placed in an ambulance, which did not immediately leave the scene.

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There is one person dead, according to Herb de la Porte, vice president of LifeCare.

After the person was removed from the home, firefighters reported they were “going defensive” on the fire, meaning they were no longer trying to save the house but simply trying to contain the fire. They later reported they were back in offensive mode.

Passers-by had attempted to rescue the person trapped in the home but said they could hear the person but couldn’t get to him or her.

Listen to an audio interview with Theresa Smith of Elyria, who tried to rescue the man.

Firefighters from Lorain, Sheffield and Avon were called in to assist.

A small dog the man owned is missing. It is not known whether the dog died in the fire or ran away.

The fire was reported about 11:30 a.m. At 1:15 p.m. firefighters reported the fire was under control but that they would remain on the scene.

West River Road North is closed to traffic while firefighters fight the fire.

Check back at Chroniclet.com for more on this story as it becomes available.

View Elyria fatal fire in a larger map

Photos by CT Photo Chief Bruce Bishop. Purchase a print.