1 house lost, 2 damaged in arson

9/9/2012

Arson destroyed a vacant house in South Toledo early Friday, damaging two adjacent houses and a camper, authorities said.

There were no injuries, according to the Toledo Fire Department.

The fire was ruled as intentionally set, but its exact cause remained under investigation, Toledo fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said..

Fire crews arrived at 1:21 a.m. Friday and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house at 1227 South Ave. They attempted to enter the structure but were repelled by the flames and fought the blaze from the outside, the lieutenant said.

What remained of the house was razed later Friday morning, Lieutenant Hertzfeld said.

Damage to the house at 1227 South was estimated at $25,000. The houses on both sides of the fire -- at 1219 and 1229 South -- each sustained about $2,000 in damage, according to reports. A camper at 1229 South also sustained about $1,000 in damage, the fire lieutenant said

The Lucas County Auditor's Web site lists Jeannette Versansky as the owner of the house at 1227 South. The 1 1/2-story wood frame house was built in 1912.