Three hospitalized after early-morning Franklinton house fire; one woman and a dog later died

Fire breaks out before dawn on South Princeton Avenue

An early-morning house fire in Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood left three people injured and caused the death of a woman and a dog, officials said Thursday.

Firefighters were called just after 2 a.m. on January 29, 2026, to a single-family home in the 100 block of South Princeton Avenue. Crews brought the blaze under control in roughly 20 minutes, according to fire officials.

Victims pulled from the home and taken to the hospital

Fire crews removed three people from inside the residence and transported all of them to an area hospital. Two of the victims were initially described as being in critical condition, while the third was also hospitalized for injuries related to the fire.

Later, one of the victims — a woman — died at the hospital. As of Thursday, one person remained hospitalized in critical condition and another was reported in stable condition.

A dog was also found dead as a result of the fire.

Damage and investigation

The home was described by fire officials as a total loss. Investigators continued working Thursday to determine what started the fire. Fire officials said no foul play was suspected at the time of the initial update.

• Location: 100 block of South Princeton Avenue, Franklinton, Columbus
• Time of call: just after 2 a.m., January 29, 2026
• People affected: three hospitalized; one woman later died
• Animal loss: one dog died
• Status of survivors: one critical, one stable (as of January 29)
• Cause: under investigation

What typically happens next

In residential fires that result in serious injuries or fatalities, investigators generally examine potential ignition sources and patterns of fire spread, review any available witness accounts, and document damage conditions. A formal cause determination can take days or longer depending on scene conditions and the need for specialized analysis.

Emergency officials urged residents to call 911 immediately if they detect smoke or fire, and to ensure working smoke alarms are installed and maintained throughout the home.

Authorities have not released the identities of those involved, and additional updates are expected as the investigation continues.