North Toledo home fire is suspected arson

10/12/2011

Toledo police and fire officials Wednesday were investigating a suspected arson fire that destroyed a North Toledo home that was currently unoccupied after someone shot into it earlier this month, authorities said.

The fire at 2606 Chestnut St. was reported at 2:52 a.m. by a neighbor who saw smoke and flames coming from the house, according to the Toledo fire department.

Occupants of the house, Martice Hill, 22, and Jordan Strong, whose age was unavailable, had been staying at a different location since a shooting incident Oct. 3 at the house. They told police the fire appeared suspicious because of the shooting incident, according to the police report. The report lists Thomassia Jackson, 22, of the same address, as the victim of the suspected arson.

Fire crews had the fire under control in 30 minutes. Arson investigators were called to the scene, a fire dispatcher said. Demolition crews started to raze the house shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.

The Lucas County Auditor’s Web site lists Clarence Evans as the owner of the house, which was built in 1914. Damage to the house was estimated at $21,000; there was also $7,000 heat damage to a house next-door, at 2608 Chestnut, the fire report said.

On Oct. 3, about 8:30 p.m., someone shot several round into the house, striking it multiple times. Police found two bullets in the kitchen and one on the back porch, as well as three shell casings in the back yard, according to the police report.

Police had no suspects in the shooting, and did not say Wednesday whether the two incidents are connected.