NEWS

Homeowner burned trying to save dog

Red Cross helps family

Linda Martz
Reporter

LUCAS - A homeowner who tried to rescue a dog from a fire that destroyed his home on the outskirts of Lucas was taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital on Friday night, reportedly for minor burns to his hand.

The house at 250 S. Union Street, belonging to Stephen R. and Vanessa Kilgore, appeared to be a total loss, according to fire officials.

Monroe Township Fire Chief Chris Niswander said Saturday the cause of the fire is under investigation, with support from the State Fire Marshal's office. But preliminary indications are that it was unintentional and accidental, he said.

"Anyone using a wood burning stove within a structure should be aware that such use in an area where flammable liquids are commonly stored is not advised," the fire chief said.

Firefighters from Monroe, Madison, Mifflin and Washington Townships and Perrysville responded to the blaze, which was reported at 7:21 p.m. Monroe Township arrived within seven minutes of the 911 call and requested a second alarm at 7:30 p.m.

Niswander said the call came in as a garage on fire, but prior to firefighters' arrival, dispatchers were told the fire had entered the house.

"As we rolled up, the entire (two car) garage was fully engulfed. There were flames coming from the garage, and heavy smoke."

Fire destroys a house at 250 S. Union St., Lucas. on Friday night.

Niswander said Stephen Kilgore was at home with two dogs when the blaze broke out, and was in the front yard with a dog he'd gotten out of the house when firefighters arrived. "He had one dog out. He was trying to get me to let him go back in for the other one," he said.

The chief said when he refused, "I turned to pull some hose and he took off toward the house. He made it to the front step and opened the door. The front room flashed, and he came back. I was yelling at him. I think he realized then..." he said.

Heavy fire conditions in the garage penetrated the house, and when the front door was opened, the spread of the fire accelerated, he said. Firefighters were unable to make entry and fire attack operations were made from the interior. Firefighters were on scene for five and a half hours until all hot spots were extinguished, Niswander said.

The homeowner was taken to the hospital, he said.

Fire destroys a house at 250 S. Union St., Lucas. on Friday night.

Madison and Mifflin Township personnel were dispatched to the scene through automatic mutual aid, and the second alarm resulted in help from additional units in Washington Township and Perrysville. The Mansfield Fire Department assisted midway through the incident by sending its breathing air truck to refill air cylinders at the scene.

The Red Cross responded to South Union Street to provide assistance to the family.

No fire personnel were injured.

A relative said when the blaze broke out, Vanessa Kilgore had gone to the store, Stephen Kilgore had come home from work and started a stove in the garage, then was asleep.

Stephen Kilgore managed to get one of the family's dogs out, but another, named Nitro, did not make it, the relative said Friday night. The homeowner reportedly ended up with burns to a hand, he said.

Fire destroys a house at 250 S. Union St., Lucas. on Friday night.

lmartz@gannett.com
419-521-7229
Twitter: @MNJmartz