Fire damages Bancroft apartment building

2/26/2004

A fire of suspicious origin last night heavily damaged the rear of a two-story apartment building on East Bancroft at Locust streets, forcing 11 occupants, including several children, to find other shelter for the night, firefighters said.

Toledo fire Lt. Ke Goolsby said an arson investigator was called to determine a cause of the blaze reported at 7:50 p.m. at the rear of 905 East Bancroft, one of four apartments in the wooden structure.

“It went from the bottom up,” Lieutenant Goolsby said. “We believe it started outside, but we are not sure of the cause.” He added police were questioning a possible suspect.

Apartment occupants said they were able to get out of the building safely after one of the tenants pounded on doors to alert them to the fire. No damage estimate was available.