Evacuated seniors cleared to return home

Zanesville Fire Department Assistant Chief Doug Hobson checks on a dog sheltered at North Terrace Church of Christ.

By Christine Holmes, News Director
July 17, 2019

After being evacuated from their homes at the Frank Cook senior housing unit on Baker Street, residents are beginning to return to their homes Wednesday afternoon after spending a night in a emergency shelter.

Around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Zanesville Fire Department was called to the apartment complex with Columbia Gas to investigate the smell of gas outside the building.

The unit was evacuated after gas was found to have spread throughout the entire building, according to Zanesville Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hobson.

“It was absolutely everywhere. So for everyone’s safety, we basically condemned the building last night deemed it unsafe for anybody to be in there, pets included,” said Hobson.

Several dogs were housed in a tent during the evacuation.

Residents were taken to the Singer Center where a temporary shelter was opened for those displaced by the evacuation.

Firefighters then spent hours going around to each apartment to gather important items for the residents.

“What we did as the fire department is we grabbed bags and we went to every individual and asked what they needed out of their apartments as far as medicine and pertinent items,” said Hobson.

All animals were also removed from their homes and taken to North Terrace Church of Christ where an overnight shelter was set up in conjunction with the American Red Cross and Muskingum County EMA for the residents and their pets.

According to Hobson, four dogs and 13 cats, among other animals, were transported to the church.

About 30 residents from the Frank Cook apartments were given rides by SEAT to the shelter where a meal was provided in the evening. Christ’s Table then donated food for breakfast Wednesday morning.

The Guernsey County Dog Warden supplied cages, food, water and towels for the effort. The Animal Shelter Society Inc. supplied pet carriers for transportation.