Firefighters remove charred debris Wednesday from apartment units at the London Square Apartments on Rockdale Avenue in Boardman, where a fire broke out after 8 a.m. One person was sent to the hospital with burns and was listed in critical condition, according to officials. Staff photo / Ashley Fox

BOARDMAN — One woman is in the hospital following a morning fire Wednesday at the London Square Apartments on Rockdale Avenue.

Eve Heim-Hagen, 53, was transported to the MetroHealth system in Cleveland from St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, Boardman fire Chief Mark Pitzer said. She suffered first- and second-degree burns to her upper body and was breathing with medical assistance.

Arriving at the blaze, Pitzer said he observed heavy fire coming from apartment No. 8. As he walked up to the fire, police officers told him the resident was in an adjacent building, and an ambulance was needed as she was burned.

Kasey McDade, who lived next to the fire in No. 9, made the initial 911 call at 8:14 a.m.

McDade said she was walking her dog, a German Shepherd-boxer mix, before work when she noticed “lots of smoke coming out of the windows” in No. 8.

When Heim-Hagen opened the door to her unit, McDade said she saw “the whole wall was engulfed in flames.”

McDade ran into her unit to grab her phone and purse, then said she focused on getting away from the fire because she was aware of oxygen tanks in No. 8.

While on the phone with 911, McDade said she arrived at the property manager’s unit when she heard explosions.

McDade said she’s told management that Heim-Hagen is a smoker and uses oxygen. About four tanks could be seen in the scorched debris.

London Square Apartments management had no comment when contacted by The Vindicator.

An active investigation continues, but there is no indication of foul play or arson, Pitzer noted. He also said he isn’t aware of any fire code violations within the complex.

McDade said she is staying with family, and Pitzer added that the Red Cross has been called to help the three displaced residents.

An apartment on the other side of No. 8 was vacant but is damaged, Pitzer said. The unit on the other side of McDade was recently vacated, she said.

McDade said she is thankful she was home at the time of the fire, as her dog, a 12-year-old rescue named Stewie, could have been killed.

“My biggest fear always has been I would be at work and my dog” would be home alone while a fire would break out, she said. “I’m just so thankful to have been here.”

afox@tribtoday.com