Suspicious fire damages 2 buildings in North Toledo

4/20/2006

A suspicious fire at a North Toledo house caused about $65,000 damage to the building and a neighboring residence yesterday.

Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from 2724 North Detroit Ave. when they arrived about 12:50 a.m. The blaze began in the dining room, fire officials said.

Nestor Lafayette, the owner and occupant of the house, had fled the house by the time firefighters arrived.

He told them he heard someone in the house, adding that the person said they were going to burn him out, according to a fire report.

A house at 2720 North Detroit, owned by David Smith, sustained fire damage.

The Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping two adults and two children at 2720 North Detroit with shelter and one adult at 2724 North Detroit with food, clothing, and shelter, spokesman Kristen Cajka said.