BEDFORD, OH — As reported by Anna Meyer and Lindsay Buckingham with WKYC Studios, an infant has tragically died, and two others are critically injured following a house fire on Forbes Road in Bedford. The Bedford Fire Department responded to reports of a fire with occupants trapped inside around 10:06 p.m. on Thursday night. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke from the second floor and were alerted by a child who managed to escape and notify neighbors.

In a press release, the Bedford Fire Department described their efforts as an “aggressive, offensive attack” through the front door. Inside, they located one adult and one infant who were both unresponsive. Sadly, the infant was pronounced dead at the scene, while the adult and child were transported to nearby hospitals, both in critical condition.

The fire, which proved challenging to control, had spread into multiple void spaces within the house, further complicating firefighters’ efforts. The exact cause remains undetermined and is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Bedford Fire Department expressed their condolences to those impacted by the tragedy and received mutual aid from fire departments in Maple Heights, Bedford Heights, North Randall, Oakwood, Northfield Village, Macedonia, Valley View, and Solon to manage the fire scene.

This devastating incident has left the Bedford community mourning, as investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire.