Monday, March 30, 2015

DEADLY YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO HOUSE EXPLOSION AND FIRE CLAIMS 3 LIVES








MARCH 30, 2015

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

An early morning fire on Powers Way in Youngstown left three people dead Monday. According to officials, just after 3 a.m., firefighters responded to the 3600 block of Powers Way for a report of a house fire with people inside.
The fire started overnight in the basement, claiming the lives of a 10-year-old girl and her grandparents. 

"All I know is there was an explosion in the basement and a fire immediately erupted," said Connie Glozer, the great aunt of the 10-year-old girl.

Officials have not yet released the cause of the fire.
Neighbors tell Channel 3 News that they woke up to loud explosions and saw within less than a minute, the house was engulfed in flames.

Although officials have not released the identities of the victims, one of them was a 4th grade elementary student,South Range School officials told WFMJ.
Marcia Braden, who spoke to Channel 3's Mike O'Mara, claims her son's 11-year-old daughter, Corinne Gump, and her maternal grandparents were murdered in the house fire.  Gas crews responded to the scene later Monday afternoon to investigate.

According to Mahoning County Commons Pleas Court, the girl was an alleged victim in a rape case against a Green Township man.

Robert Seman Jr., 46, was scheduled for trial on Monday. He was supposed to go on trial today on four counts of rape and four counts of gross sexual imposition.
Source: http://www.wkyc.com

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Relatives of the victims tell 21 News that they have no reason to believe that Seman had anything to do with the fire.

The Arson Squad, the Ohio Fire Marshal and city police detectives are investigating the fire.  Authorities say that so far they have found no evidence that the fire was suspicious in origin.

Neighbors told 21 News that they heard what sounded like two explosions at about 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Youngstown Fire Chief John O'Neil confirmed that crews discovered three people dead inside the home. He said they arrived to a scene engulfed in heavy fire. Chief O'Neil also said firefighters faced difficulties in the home while trying to get the victims out, such as floors falling through.