Burned trees lie on the ground, a result of a fire that burned above and below ground on 12 acres of land on Malone Road in Salineville. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

SALINEVILLE — A brush fire that started at 20410 Malone Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning took 64 firefighters from nine fire stations 13 hours to bring under control.

The fire burned 12 acres of land and resulted in the injuries of three firefighters, two of who were taken from the scene by ambulance. The firefighters sustained minor injuries. The two taken to the hospital were treated and released and the third injured firefighter was treated at the scene.

According to Fire Chief Jeremiah Cole, Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department, the land where the fire happened was very rugged terrain which left the firefighters battling the fire on hills, in ravines and valley and among downed trees.

Two of the injured firefighters were injured when a side-by-side utility vehicle they were in rolled over due to the terrain and the third firefighter was injured when hit by a falling tree.

“It was rough. I have been on a lot of brush fires over the past 30 years, but that one was tough, that one was hard to get out,” Cole said. “The problem we ran into was the peat moss.”

Cole said the fire ended up burning underground and once they put it out in one spot, right away it would pop back up about three feet away. The firefighters hand raked almost the entire 12 acres of land due to it burning underground and not being able to be seen.

Departments received the call out for the fire at 5:39 a.m. The fire was under control at 6:40 p.m.

Departments responding included Highlandtown, Salineville, Franklin Township, Wellsville, West Point, Glenmoor, Irondale and Liverpool Township volunteer fire departments. Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry was also on scene with a bulldozer and off-road vehicles.

On Thursday morning around approximately 8 or 9 a.m., Salineville Volunteer Fire Department responded back to the scene for several flare-ups.

While the cause of the fire is still undetermined and under investigation, Cole said following a Thursday conversation with ODNR, burning is the suspected cause. Pending outcome of the investigation, ODNR could investigate possible citations against the property owner. Cole also noted the cause of the fire may never be determined.

Cole reminded residents that there is a statewide burn ban still in effect that bans burning anything between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and after 6 p.m., there is burning of garbage, only natural material. Campfires can be no more than 3 feet by 3 feet and be supervised at all times.

Cole noted that he looked at the firefighters after 13 hours of battling the blaze and they were all exhausted, dirty and worn out and he was concerned about them. But even though they were all tired and sore and some injured, they all returned to work on Thursday at their full-times jobs. He also encouraged everyone to follow the burn ban and use common sense.

Cole said that the firefighters appreciate all the residents who brought them refreshments and drinks including the carry-out which brought them lunch.