Fire in Defiance early Tuesday morning claims lives of two people.

Defiance Fire and Rescue reported a structure fire in the city early Tuesday morning claimed the lives of two people. A press release issued by Defiance Fire Chief Shawn Wittkop states the department was dispatched to 241 Ruth Ann Drive after a call had been made by a resident at the end of the cul-de-sac to the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office’s 9-1-1 communication center at 4:12 a.m. The department had an initial arrival time of 4:18 a.m., as automatic mutual aid was also requested from Noble Township Fire Department, South Richland Fire Department and Highland Township Fire Department. It was reported an officer of the Defiance Police Department had arrived on the scene prior to the fire crews and attempted to alert the occupants. The officer was evaluated for smoke inhalation, and the officer was reported to not be injured.