COLUMBUS, Ohio — A south Columbus homeowner says last month's house fire that injured two firefighters was years in the making — and entirely preventable.

Sarah Hutcher lives next door to the home on West Markison Avenue that caught fire. She said she had warned the city for years that her neighbor’s property was a fire hazard, and public records reviewed by 10TV back up her concerns.

Buying their first home, she said, was supposed to be a dream — but has instead become a source of constant fear.

“We were so proud of this, and truly, it has become such a point of anxiety for us,” Hutcher said.

She called last month’s fire “completely preventable.”

“I could have lost my husband. I could have lost my newborn baby. I could have lost my cat and dog. I could have lost my house," she said

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