Woman and child escape Chestnut Street house fire in Columbus as investigators seek cause

Fire breaks out mid-morning; adjacent home sustains minor damage

A woman and a child escaped a fast-moving house fire Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026, after smoke and flames spread through a single-story home on the 1400 block of Chestnut Street in Columbus. Fire crews arrived to find heavy fire pushing from the front of the residence at 1462 Chestnut Street, with heat beginning to affect the vinyl siding of the neighboring home at 1466 Chestnut Street.

Emergency calls came in at about 10:02 a.m. Police officers reached the scene first and reported the front of the residence was fully involved. Firefighters initiated an exterior attack to knock down the main body of fire and simultaneously used a second hose line to cool and protect the adjacent structure.

Occupants evacuated through rear door; no injuries reported

Because it was initially unclear whether anyone remained inside, firefighters entered and searched the home. The search confirmed no residents were inside. The woman and child were later located safely at a nearby home in the 1500 block of Chestnut Street, where they had gone after escaping.

Investigators said the woman reported noticing a smoke odor while in the kitchen, then seeing thick smoke and flames in the living room. She attempted to douse the fire with a pitcher of water but retreated as heat and smoke intensified. The pair exited through the rear door, ran to a neighbor’s home, and called 911.

The occupants were assessed by emergency medical technicians at the scene and were found to be uninjured.

Home deemed a total loss; pets found deceased

The fire was brought under control within minutes of firefighters’ arrival, with crews continuing to extinguish hot spots for roughly 25 additional minutes. Damage to the 1462 Chestnut Street rental property was described as extensive, with estimated property loss exceeding $60,000. Damage to the neighboring home at 1466 Chestnut Street was estimated at about $2,000, consistent with the early focus on preventing fire spread.

During the interior search, firefighters located several deceased cats. No human injuries were reported.

Cause remains under investigation; assistance requested for displaced family

Fire investigators are working to determine what ignited the blaze. Given the extent of damage and displacement, the American Red Cross was contacted to help arrange shelter assistance for the family.

• Incident location: 1462 Chestnut Street, Columbus
• Call time: approximately 10:02 a.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2026
• Injuries: none reported
• Estimated damage: over $60,000 at 1462; about $2,000 at 1466
• Status: cause under investigation

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including police, emergency medical services, and utility partners working to secure the area and support the response.