Woman dies in Ridgeville Corners fire

2/26/2007

RIDGEVILLE CORNERS, Ohio - A woman's body was found inside a home that was destroyed by fire in this Henry County community yesterday.

The owner of the home at 20436 Co. Rd. X is Marie Plassman, 84, but Ridgeville Corners Fire Chief Dexter Benecke said positive identification will need to be made through X-rays and dental records.

Cause of the fire, which was discovered about 3:51 a.m. by a motorist who awakened neighbors by honking the horn repeatedly, has not been determined. Estimated damage to the home was $150,000.

Firefighters from Archbold, Napoleon, Liberty Center, and Florida assisted.

Chief Benecke, who has been a firefighter since 1962, said that it was the first fatal fire in Ridgeville Township that anyone could recall.