Firefighter lieutenant indicted in garage fire

9/19/2006

A Toledo Fire Department lieutenant was indicted yesterday by a Lucas County grand jury for starting a fire last month in the garage at a North Toledo residence.

Lt. Kevin Goolsby, a safety officer, was indicted on one count of felony arson.

The charge stems from a suspicious fire Aug. 31 to an unattached garage at 3342 Beaumont Drive. The fire, which was ruled an arson, damaged the garage ceiling and a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that was parked inside.

According to police reports, a neighbor saw Lieutenant Goolsby enter the garage and then leave at a high rate of speed in a pickup truck. The witness then observed smoke coming from the structure a short time later.

Lieutenant Goolsby, of 819 Continental Blvd., will receive a summons to appear in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison.