Arson suspected in Rossford fire
8/11/2011Authorities said they suspect arson in a fire that destroyed a vacant Rossford home early Thursday morning.
Firefighters responded at 2:14 a.m. to a report of a fire at 223 Bacon St. "There were flames shooting from an entire side of the house," Rossford Fire Chief James Verbosky said in a news release.
The blaze was too dangerous for firefighters to enter the structure, with the roof partially collapsed, Chief Verbosky said. When crews got the flames under control, a backhoe was brought in to level the building along with a garage on the property.
"It was past the point it was going to come down anyways and we couldn't put the fire out until we got it demolished," the chief said.
No injuries were reported. About 30 firefighters from Rossford, Perrysburg Township, and Northwood fire departments were on scene, according to the release.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation; arson is suspected, Chief Verbosky said.
The City of Rossford and the Rossford Board of Education recently took control of the property after it had been vacant for about a year, the release stated.