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.
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.
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.