Man sentenced for setting house fire

3/13/2002

A Toledo man accused of setting fire to the fire-ravaged house next to his home was sentenced yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Timothy McCarthy, of 4115 Mayfield Dr., was placed on community control for two years. He was convicted last month of attempted arson.

The charge stems from an arson fire Oct. 15 at a house at 4117 Mayfield, which investigators said was set on fire at least four previous times.

Prior to the fires, the city and neighbors complained about the condition of the house and the frequencies of fires. The house, near Sylvania and Lewis avenues, is owned by John Ulmer, Westhaven Group founder.

The unattached garage was set on fire Sept. 1. Fire officials investigated suspicious fires at the house on Aug. 6, and Oct. 1, 8, and 15. A fire on June 30 was ruled accidental, caused perhaps by juveniles playing with fireworks in the backyard of a nearby house.

Fire investigators said McCarthy was at the fire scenes, often offering help.

Judge James Bates also ordered McCarthy, 53, to pay $500 in restitution. Judge Bates took into account the defendant's lack of a criminal history. “Your background is completely inconsistent with any type of criminal activity,” the judge said.