2 blazes destroy Avondale house in central Toledo

10/14/2010

An arson fire Wednesday destroyed a central Toledo house that was damaged the night before in another suspicious blaze, authorities said.

Toledo Fire Investigator Dale Pelz said someone broke into the house at 1246 Avondale Ave. when its lone occupant was away Tuesday night. The house was burglarized and its interior was set on fire, Mr. Pelz said. He did not release the person's name, saying only that it was not the homeowner.

The initial blaze at the single-story, wood-frame house was reported at 8:49 p.m. Crews had it extinguished by 10:30 p.m.

The second fire at that address was reported at 4:46 a.m. Wednesday. When crews arrived, they found the house engulfed in flames, Mr. Pelz said. Firefighters left the scene by 8:06 a.m., and later in the morning, city workers tore down what was left of the home, Mr. Pelz said.

Both fires were ruled arsons, he said. He did not say exactly how the blazes were set, citing an ongoing investigation.

Cumulative fire damage was estimated at $20,000, which does not include stolen and destroyed contents of the house, Mr. Pelz said.

The Lucas County auditor's Web site lists Lavern Mosley as the owner of the house, which was built in 1902.