Old South End fire displaces 3 people

A Toledo firefighter works on the scene of a fire at 212 Segur Avenue in the Old South End.

Three people and two dogs escaped a house fire in Toledo's Old South End today.

The fire at 212 Segur Ave. was reported at about 1:10 p.m. Smoke from the fire was clearly visible from downtown Toledo.

One witness said he saw two teenage boys set the garage on fire and then flee the area.

The fire spread from the unattached garage to the house, said Robert Howard, 27, one of the residents.

Mr. Howard had arrived home from work about 10 minutes before the fire started; his girlfriend, Angel Cravens, 36, was asleep inside. Mr. Howard's father was also inside the home at the time.

"If Scotty [Mr. Howard] didn't come home when he did, I'd be dead," Ms. Cravens said, petting both of the shivering dogs, Gizmo and Money.

Mr. Howard said he heard a commotion at the back of the house, pushed aside curtains, and "all I could see was flames."

He said the fire spread quickly, although he was able to grab a container of clothing and get it outside before the smoke was too heavy inside the white two-story home.

He said the teenagers who were allegedly seen setting the fire are "punk neighborhood kids" who stole tools from his home several days ago.

Mr. Howard and Ms. Cravens have lived in the home for about 2 1/2 months.

Red Cross was called for Mr. Howard and Ms. Cravens.