Ohio fire union says cuts led to slower response

DAYTON (AP) — A Dayton firefighters’ union has blamed budget cuts for a slower response to a destructive blaze at an apartment complex.

The Dayton Daily News  reports that the International Association of Firefighters said the closing of a station two blocks away “added several key minutes” to the response time early Thursday.

Fire Chief Herbert Redden III called the union’s statement a “scare tactic.” He said firefighters arrived about 4 minutes after the call from a station 1.2 miles away, and other units were on the scene soon after.

Redden said cutbacks have been offset by relying on neighboring jurisdictions to provide mutual.

A couch fire in an alley spread to a nearby apartment building, destroying 11 units and more than five businesses. A man was arrested and charged with arson.