Late-night fire damages Stratford Woods home

• Mrs. Vaia was watching TV when she smelled smoke.
• Sixteen units from Newark, Newark Township, Madison Township, Granville and Heath responded

NEWARK – A fire of undetermined origin heavily damaged the home of Dan's Family Pizza owner Dan Vaia late Monday night.

The Newark Fire Department received the call at 10:53 p.m. Monday at 1319 Stratford Woods Drive, off Londondale Parkway west of Country Club Drive.

The fire is believed to have started in an area above the garage that included two bedrooms and a bathroom, and there was a lot of damage to the roof and rear of the home.

Vaia was not home at the time. His wife, Virgie, safely escaped along with their golden retriever. Their cat had not been found around midnight.

The couple have lived in the large brick home since 1992. The two bedrooms had not been used for some time after their children moved out.

Virgie Vaia was watching TV when she smelled smoke.

"I just thought it was someone burning something outside," she said. "Then I heard a popping noise."

Their neighbor, Tom Wolfe, called in the fire, Dan Vaia said. Virgie Vaia was able to get her vehicle out of the garage.

"But the sparks came down and got her snowblowers and lawn mowers," Dan Vaia said.

Sixteen units from Newark, Newark Township, Madison Township, Granville and Heath responded to the scene.

"We requested a lot of mutual aid because of the size of the home," Newark fire Chief Pat Connor said. "When you have a home of this size, it is very difficult to put the fire out.

"The biggest thing was no one was hurt and no firefighters were injured. I can't say enough about our Newark department. They did an awesome job."

Newark fire crews were still at the house after midnight dealing with hot spots. Fire investigators were on the way.

"There was significant structural damage," Connor said. "But we're still not sure how it started."

dweidig@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @noz75