City of Warren F. D. News & Incidents for the Year 2006

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Published in the Youngstown Vindicator on Thursday, January 5, 2006...

Pineview building is set for demolition

A landscaped parking lot will replace the building to be demolished.

By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Final preparations are under way for the demolition of a fire-damaged building adjoining downtown's historic Robins Theater, according to the owner of both buildings.

"We're heartbroken," said Brad Phillips, owner of the Heritage Galleria, which includes the vacant 1923-vintage theater, which will remain standing along with various legal and other offices. The Galleria also includes the soon-to-be-demolished Pineview building at 136 Pine Ave. S.E.

Although the Galleria buildings are in the Warren Commercial Historic District, none of them are designated as landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places, said Heather McMahon, the city's urban designs and grants coordinator.

"Anytime that you have a vital element of the downtown business community that's damaged or lost, it adversely affects our community," Phillips said.

The demolition of the two-story tan-brick-fronted Pineview building is necessitated by a fire that damaged the building beyond repair last February, Phillips said.

One occupant of that building, Gee's Alterations, Hats and Wigs, has since moved into the adjoining Robins building. The other occupant, the Queen of Hearts bar, moved to another downtown location.

Asbestos has already been removed from the Pineview building and the city has issued a permit for its demolition, Phillips said.

Rolls of orange demolition site perimeter fencing sat in the doorway of one of the Pineview building's four storefronts Wednesday. The demolition contractor is Richard Boccia Construction and Demolition of Niles.

Phillips said he did not know the age of the Pineview building, whose brick and architectural style are similar to those of the theater. It is not part of the original Robins Theater building, he said.

When the demolition is complete, the Pineview building will be replaced by a landscaped nine-car parking lot for Heritage Galleria tenants, he added.

With the exception of the ornate film and Vaudeville theater, which closed in 1974, and the Pineview building, the four-building Galleria is fully-occupied, Phillips explained.

The Robins Building, to which the theater is attached, houses the Trumbull Art Gallery; Gee's; the Letson, Kragalott & Stack law firm; Community Legal Aid; USA Parking; Herron men's clothing, and Building Bridges Inc. — an employment agency for needy people.

Also within the Galleria are The Duchess Building, which houses the law offices of Thomas E. Schubert and Robert L. York and Phillips-Sekanick Architects; and the warehouse building, which houses Valley Counseling Services and the office of Atty. Michael Buzulencia.

As for the vacant theater itself, Phillips said he hopes the $1 million in state funds set aside for it will remain as seed money for the theater's restoration and not be transferred to the city-owned Packard Music Hall as proposed by state Rep. Randy Law of Warren, R-64th. "We're hopeful that they money stays with the original intent," Phillips said.

After a feasibility study on the Robins Theater's restoration concluded that it would cost $3.7 million to do minimal renovation and restoration and keep it "safe, warm and dry," or $12.3 million for a full restoration, Mayor Michael O'Brien said it isn't practical for the city to subsidize the project.

milliken@vindy.com

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Youngstown Vindicator 1/17/2006...

Kitchen fire in Warren

WARREN — City firefighters extinguished a kitchen fire at 2346 Cranwood Drive S.W. but not before the blaze destroyed the front part of the house and melted some siding at 2356 Cranwood Drive S.W. Firefighters said the fire started in the kitchen about 2 a.m. Monday when something was left cooking on the stove. Residents escaped unharmed. No damage estimate was available.

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From the Warren Tribune on 1/30/2006...

City seeks EMS service
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN - City leaders tired of having to rely on other communities to provide at least partial emergency medical service for residents are seeking a private ambulance contract to serve only Warren.

In the past 18 months, emergency medical service (EMS) hasn't been readily available in Warren, primarily because the three private companies here haven't had available ambulances. This has forced the city to lean heavily on Howland and Warren townships for the service, according to fire Chief Ken Nussle.

And on occasion, the townships have been completely occupied by incidents in Warren, leaving zero service for residents.

"They don't mind doing it, but when their own residents are being deprived, therein lies the problem,'' Nussle said.

Warren Mayor Michael J. O'Brien announced the plan last week, saying he believes the city has enough emergency calls to entice a company to sign a contract.

Nussle said about 2,800 emergency calls came into the city's 911 center last year, but he wasn't able to say the number of times an ambulance wasn't available.

Howland fire Chief George Brown said township emergency crews responded to incidents in Warren 41 times last year.

"It's not that we don't want to be a good neighbor,'' Brown said. "But the city, in all fairness, really needed to come up with a plan.''

O'Brien said, "We don't expect to rely on Howland Township or Warren Township to provide emergency services for us, but at the same time, we want residents to rest assured that when they dispatch for an ambulance, one will be available to them, which wasn't always available in the past.''

The city's plan is loosely modeled after one in Youngstown.

Youngstown fire Chief John O'Neil said no money is involved with the city's performance contract with Rural Metro, which provided exclusive service in the city to the tune of about 5,700 calls last year.

The city changed from a three company rotation to an exclusive provider in 2002, "mostly because of citizens complaints about response time,'' O'Neil said.

"There was no teeth, no recourse to go after private companies and say I'm not happy with your performance,'' O'Neil said. "This gives us a little bit of control.''

According to the contract, Rural Metro is required to respond to incidents within eight minutes at least 90 percent of the time. If not, they are fined $100 for every .01 percent below that threshold, so for example, if they come in at 89 percent, they owe $1,000.

If it's discovered that times were altered, there is a one time $10,000 fine and possible forfeiture of the contract, O'Neil said.

Nussle said the city is accepting requesting for proposal from prospective providers, adding they are due in Warren by late February.

"We weren't setting a specific standard, we want them to tell us what they can do for us,'' Nussle said.

Plus, O'Brien said, by doing it this way, the city isn't committed to accepting the lowest bid.

The mayor said the proposals will be reviewed in early April.

In addition to this plan, the Warren Fire Department is looking at training all firefighters in basic life support skills, since typically, fire crews are first to respond to most emergencies. The class would be 40 hours, the chief said.

"We don't even know if an ambulance company will submit a proposal,'' Nussle said. "What we are trying to do is prepare for that.''

rselak@tribune-chronicle.com

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 2/14/2006...

Fireman fined for fracas with cop
Tribune Chronicle

WARREN - A city firefighter was fined, placed on probation and given a 30-day suspended jail sentence Monday for threatening a Fowler police officer during an early November disturbance at his home.

James Ferry pleaded no contest to a charge of disorderly conduct in exchange for prosecutors dropping a second charge of menacing in connection to a Nov. 10 incident at his state Route 305 home, where, according to a police report, an officer was forced to try and subdue Ferry with a taser gun.

He was ordered to pay a $150 fine and placed on six months non-reporting probation, meaning he isn't required to make regular visits with a probation officer.

A report from Cortland police, who were called for assistance, states that officers learned the taser failed to activate and that Ferry ripped the wires, leaving the barb stuck in his shirt.

According to the city report, Cortland police were called to the home shortly before 11:30 p.m. to help the Fowler officer, who had gone to the home answering a 911 call. When the Cortland pair arrived, they found Fowler officer Jed Oakman simultaneously trying to calm Ferry and his wife and ordering Ferry to stop moving toward and swearing at the officer.

Cortland officers Tom Andrews and Jason Smith said they were able to calm Ferry, who told police he was only reacting to Oakman's actions, the report states. Ferry later told police he believed Oakman overreacted to the situation and apologized for his actions, the report states.

Sometime before Cortland police arrived is when Oakman fired the faulty taser at Ferry, whom the Fowler officer claims was confrontational.

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 2/20/2006...

Pig is fatality of fire
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN - A fire that gutted a Burton Street S.E. house on Sunday morning now is responsible for taking the life of a pot-bellied pig living in the home.

Four firefighters also were hurt battling the blaze. Rick Grove received a cut on the right hand, Jared Thomas injured his left shoulder, Les Hathaway injured his left shoulder and back, and Randy Stelk hurt his head, the report states.

Animal Welfare League Director Barb Busko said the pig was put down on Monday after officials determined it wouldn't recover from the large amount of smoke it inhaled before being rescued by Warren firefighters battling the early morning blaze.

"The pig was having trouble breathing,'' Busko said.

The other animals inside 2294 Burton St. S.E., a dog and two snakes - a ball python and boa, both between 5 and 6 feet long - were recovering from minor injuries they received in the fire.

"The python has respiratory problems but the boa is in a little better shape,'' said Robin Stowe, emergency rescue worker and humane agent with the league. "They have a few burn marks on both of them, but they appear at this time to be doing OK.''

The dog, meanwhile, is "responding pretty good,'' but has issues with other health problems not related to the fire.

Crews were called to the home about 8:30 a.m. to find heavy smoke coming from the southeast side home, according to a report. Investigators believe the blaze began in the kitchen, but a cause has not been determined.

The fire is estimated to have caused $48,000 in damage.

It remains under investigation.

rselak@tribune-chronicle.com

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Fromthe Warren Tribune Chronicle on 4/4/2006...

Firefighter suspended for tardiness
By Tribune Chronicle

WARREN — A city firefighter is suspended with pay for 30 days for chronically showing up late to work.

And if 27-year-old Dennis McGee is late to work or absent without leave any time over the next two years, the firefighter will be terminated, according to a letter dated Friday and placed in McGee’s city personnel file.

McGee and Lt. William D. Monrean, vice president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 204, signed off on Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin’s decision.

The suspension is for 30 calendar days. However, since firefighters work one day and then have the following two off, McGee will miss 10 actual work days. He is being allowed to use personal, vacation, holiday and other time to cover the hours he would have missed, the letter states.

He is set to return to work April 30.

It’s unclear why McGee is often late to work.

McGee was hired in April 2002

Friday’s decision stemmed from McGee not showing for work on March 25, but his problem with tardiness dates back to November 2005, other disciplinary letters show.

A letter dated Nov. 7, 2005, shows McGee was issued a written reprimand by fire Chief Ken Nussle for not reporting off by 6:45 a.m. — the time firefighters are required to be on station and in uniform for roll call — on Oct. 23, 2005.

On Dec. 28 of last year, Nussle suspended McGee for 24 hours without pay after a predisciplinary hearing where he could explain why he was absent without leave from 6:45 to 7:03 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2005. However, Nussle decided to suspend 16 hours after meeting with union officials, providing that no intervening discipline happened during the next year, the letter states.

Earlier this year, McGee was suspended for two days for being 25 minutes late to work on Feb. 11, a letter dated March 1, shows. Nussle said despite his problem with punctuality, McGee is all-around a solid firefighter.

‘‘Aside from having a problem getting to work on time, he a very good fireman on the fire ground,’’ the chief said.

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 4/8/2006...

New firefighters
Photo by Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple

Warren welcomed two new firefighters Friday with the swearing in of Michael Stryffeler of Sebring, left, and James Gillen of Warren. Safety Service Director Doug Franklin administers the oath as Chief Ken Nussle, center, and Warren Mayor Michael J. O’Brien look on. The pair are replacing Mike Bryan, who resigned in September to take a job in Salem, and Jeremy Cox, who left earlier this year for a job in Indianapolis.

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 4/11/2006...

Tempers get hot over fire in back yard
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN — Two men who refused to allow city firefighters to extinguish their backyard blaze ended up in jail overnight for putting up a fuss and fight.

James J. Ford, 26, and 34-year-old Thomas G. Mollohan are accused of preventing a Warren firefighter from putting out what the firefighter said was a relatively large fire the two had built late Sunday night behind Ford’s Linden Avenue S.E. home.

A police report shows the two prevented Lt. Bill Gadd from extinguishing the blaze, which he said was of ‘‘good size,’’ by standing between him and the ground fire.

‘‘I tried to explain to them about the (city) ordinance, that they weren’t allowed to burn like that, but they wanted no part in me putting their fire out,’’ Gadd said.

So Gadd said he called the cops, because in addition to a crowd that had gathered and the pair blocking his path, the fire was burning freely in the yard and was near a garage.

‘‘They got between me and the fire and refused to put any water on it,’’ Gadd said.

Ford, 186 Linden Ave. S.E., was arrested on charges of misconduct at an emergency, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon. Mollohan, 194 Linden Ave. S.E., was arrested on a charge of misconduct at an emergency.

Both are free on $1,000 bond. They could not be reached for comment.

According to a report, police were called to the Linden Avenue S.E. home shortly after 11 p.m. after someone complained of the open burning, which is prohibited by ordinance in Warren. Police found two men, who first denied, but later admitted to having the fire, which they didn’t want put out.

The two agreed to extinguish the fire and took a garden hose to the blaze, ‘‘but they were not putting the fire out, the report states.

The two were arrested after the fire was out, the report states. Ford, who, according to the report, put up a brief struggle with police, was found with a knife in his pocket.

rselak@tribune-chronicle.com

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 4/19/2006...

Fire prompts councilman to revisit fee plan
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN — A vacant home on the city’s north end caught fire early Tuesday morning, gutting the structure already damaged by a fire almost two years ago.

And since that fire on June 13, 2004, at 296 Washington St. N.W., 2nd Ward Councilman Alford L. Novak said he has been asking for the old home to be taken down. He said he will use this as an example to revive a controversial piece of legislation that would designate part of building permits and inspection fees to clean up the city.

‘‘We have to put a nice, big contract out and in one fell swoop, we need to go out and get these homes and get them out of here,’’ Novak said. ‘‘I’m going to put it up for a vote, and they can vote their conscience on it.’’

Fire crews were called shortly before 3 a.m. to the 2 1/2-story wood home, where they stayed for almost four hours fighting the raging blaze. The roof collapsed in several places and another $50,000 in damages was caused to the home.

In the first fire, owner Renee Frantz suffered first-and second-degree burns on her arms and legs and smoke inhalation. That fire caused $12,000 in damage.

The home was placed on the city’s condemned housing list after the first fire. Novak said he has been trying to get the home demolished ever since, especially after people began stealing pipes and other contents left inside the home.

‘‘Is this hulk going to sit now for another year or two?’’ Novak asked. ‘‘Get it down, and get it out of there.’’

The legislation proposed by Novak would take the permit and inspection fees from more than $150 million Warren City School District school building construction project and use that money for cleaning up the city, including demolitions, cutting trees and sidewalk repairs.

However, Novak decided to hold off on the measure after questions and concerns surfaced regarding the proposal.



rselak@tribune-chronicle.com

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From the WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 4/26/2006...

Firefighters Sharpen Skills on Warren Home

Practice makes perfect and that includes the science of fighting fires.

Warren firefighters set a Summit Street home of fire Tuesday to help them do their jobs better.

It gives younger firefighters a chance to experience the heat and smoke from a fire, without the pressure of a real life situation.

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 5/12/2006...

Dispatcher challenges residency
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN — Emergency dispatcher Andrew Chovan fired the first shot in the debate over residency requirements that prohibit Ohio cities and other municipalities from compelling their employees to live inside city limits.

Although Chovan hasn’t blatantly challenged the Warren’s residency requirement, he filed a change of address form with the Finance Department listing his new address in Howland and hasn’t signed a residency questionnaire, the validity of which many officers are questioning since the new law took effect on May 1.

Chovan declined to comment on Thursday.

It’s unclear if the police dispatcher, who also works as a full-time police officer in Cortland, already moved to the Howland address listed.

The rules place limits on communities that require full-time employees to live in the town where they work. At least three cities with charter governments have filed court challenges, saying the law infringes on their home rule powers to set residency requirements.

The law exempts part-time and volunteer employees.

Warren, unlike Youngstown, Akron and Cleveland, is a statutory city and is bound by state law, but officials here believe their ordinance still applies and plan on enforcing it completely.

‘‘It’s the city’s intent to enforce the ordinance to require residency,’’ said Doug Franklin, city Safety-Service director.

Chovan could face disciplinary measures, up to losing his job. He was working his shift on Thursday afternoon, at which time he hadn’t been reprimanded, Franklin said.

Other police officers who were rumored to decline the residency questionnaire filled out the form on the advice of their union attorney. Several officers signed the form ‘‘under protest.’’

Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association attorney S. Randall Weltman said it was better for the officers to sign and avoid ‘‘anybody getting caught up in a discharge case.’’ He said there have been talks about taking the city to court to determine which requirement takes precedent.

Statewide, 125 cities and 13 villages have some sort of residency requirement, according to the Ohio Municipal League.



rselak@tribune-chronicle.com

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From the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 5/17/2006...

Family awaits justice for three killed in fire
By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle
Tribune Chronicle / Steve Schenck

Joryan Pizzulo, 3, right, and his brother Alijiah, 5, look at a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about the deaths last year of their cousins, Mason Cross, 5, and Christian Pizzulo, 1, and aunt Lena Cross, 22, in a Girard fire.

WARREN — Mason Cross should have turned 6 years old Tuesday, but instead, his family was left wondering why that birthday was taken away by a fatal fire more than eight months ago.

‘‘I can imagine how proud he would be to have to use two hands to show how old he is,’’ said his father, Joseph Pizzulo.

Mason Cross and his younger brother, Christian Pizzulo, 1, were each killed Sept. 13, 2005, along with their mother, Lena Cross, 22, in their home on Dearborn Avenue in Girard. The boys died of smoke inhalation in their sleep from the fire that was set following the brutal murder of their mother.

Lena Cross died of multiple stab wounds, and no one has yet been charged in relation to the three deaths.

And the pain of the loss today still torments a family left with endless memories and few answers.

‘‘It’s eight months broken down into almost literally every moment of every day. So for us, it’s an eternity,’’ said Cindy Michael, the boys’ grandmother and Joseph’s mother.

Girard police Chief Frank Bigowsky was unable to comment on whether police are looking at a particular suspect responsible for the murders, but said all of the evidence collected by detectives has been turned over to the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office.

‘‘I’m optimistic that charges will be filed in this case. I wish it could have been sooner. But that’s not my call,’’ the chief said.

Joseph Pizzulo, still broken and visibly scarred by the tragic loss of his two sons and fiancee, said he’s been left to only guess what happened. Their funeral took place the day of his own birthday.

‘‘No matter what, I’ll never be able to move on. But you still need to know what happened. Somebody needs to be brought to justice for what they did,’’ he said.

Preparing to place toys and flowers on Mason Cross’ grave Tuesday, Michael said she created a timeline of other holidays and events since the deaths. In one excerpt, she described not having the heart to wake up her own son on Christmas morning to open presents with his boys’ three young cousins.

‘‘It just didn’t seem right that his two babies were gone, and he would never again be able to experience the joy and excitement of opening presents on Christmas morning with them. We were quieter than usual,’’ she wrote.

And Michael said the three young cousins have experienced the loss just as much as the rest of the family.

Alijiah Pizzulo, 5, Darian Dole, 4, and Joryan Pizzulo, 3, clambered about their home on Central Parkway S.E. Monday, reinvigorating the household still recovering from the devastation.

Posterboards displaying collages of dozens of photos of the cousins together sat up against walls, where the toddlers regularly point out individual snapshots capturing favorite times together.

Michael said she’s only been able to tell them that their cousins died from smoke while they were sleeping in their beds.

‘‘They don’t know that they were murdered because I don’t know how I would say that to them,’’ Michael said.

While each day brings the family closer to a feeling of normalcy, even little Alijiah, who was closest in age to cousin Mason, had to start seeing a counselor after being found drawing pictures of fires in school. But talking and remembering helps, Michael said.

A small memorial now sits in the corner of the family’s dining room, displaying photos of Cross and her two children surrounded by candles and a small plaque bearing the Bible verse John 14:1-3 that was taken out of the the three’s charred home — lines that promise of all the room in heaven.

The words are fitting for Joseph Pizzulo, who said that while he anticipates daily a resolution to the investigation of his family’s deaths, he also looks forward to much more.

‘‘You just got to remember, they’re in a better place. One day, I’ll be up there with them. It’s about waiting now,’’ he said.



jkovacs@tribune-chronicle.com

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Published in the Youngstown Vindicator on Tuesday, July 4, 2006...

Cause still unknown in Warren house explosion

None of the walls or ceiling were left standing.

THE VINDICATOR
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Investigators continued to pick through debris today in the aftermath of Saturday's house explosion that leveled 471 Oriole Place S.W. and damaged at least five more homes.

One 911 call Saturday morning came from a neighborhood near Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital from a man who said he thought an explosion had just occurred in his neighborhood. The explosion had actually occurred some 14 blocks away.

The 7:30 a.m. explosion, apparently caused by natural gas, caused the roof to travel skyward in two large pieces, over the two adjacent houses, and into the houses and yards on the other side.

It damaged at least five houses in addition to 471 Oriole, which was vacant at the time. Four of them are on either side of 471 Oriole and one is across the street, said Lt. Bill Monrean, who is in charge of the investigative unit for the Warren Fire Department.

No injuries were reported. Monrean said the cause of the blast is still not known.

"Until we interview some people, we don't know what happened," he said, adding that testing by Dominion East Ohio Gas will provide some clues, but that it can be difficult to identify a cause in such cases.

Neighborhood damage

"It was a rude awakening," said neighbor Deran Thomas, who lives four houses down from 471 Oriole.

Thomas said the home of Ellery and Alysia Reed, 461 Oriole S.W., next door to the explosion, received severe basement damage because a car parked in their driveway was blown into the foundation of the Reed residence. Two other vehicles there also were damaged.

The Reeds are also among two families that had to be moved out of their homes by the local chapter of the American Red Cross, Monrean said.

Unlike a natural gas explosion on May 31 on Mercer Street in the city, none of the Oriole Place walls or ceiling were left intact after Saturday's blast.

A front loader from R. Boccia Construction Co. of Niles was used Saturday to help firefighters move debris from the site for investigative purposes, Monrean said, but the home was otherwise already down.

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Story from the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 7/2/2006...

Explosion levels Warren house
By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle

Firefighters and other rescue crews survey the scene after a home on Oriole Place S.W. in Warren was leveled by an explosion Saturday morning.

WARREN — The violent shaking of the house’s foundation and the sound of an explosion startled Annabelle Brogdon from a deep sleep about 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Glass and items from her dresser fell to the floor, breaking into small pieces.

The 78 year-old’s grandson, Sylvestor Harvey, and her daughter, Shirley Day, ran into her room yelling that they had to get out of the house quickly.

The back door would not budge, so the three ran out the front.

‘‘Oh my God,’’ Brogdon said to herself. ‘‘Thank God, we’re alive.’’

Two doors south, at 471 Oriole Place S.W., smoke and flames were shooting up from a pile of wood and rubble where a single-family house once stood. Part of the roof was found lodged against the front porch and stairs of Brogdon’s home.

The Warren Fire Department sent seven vehicles to the scene. No neighbors or fire officials reported injuries. At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Michael O’Brien reported the excavation of the scene was completed and no bodies were found.

Specially trained dogs also were taken to the area to sift through the debris.

The three people at the Brogdon home moved to the other side of the porch.

‘‘It felt like we were in Iraq,’’ Annabelle Brogdon said. ‘‘I didn’t know what to think.’’

When she looked on her bannister, Brogdon noticed an unopened envelope that was addressed to Russell Baker, who was renting at 471 Oriole Place. In its return address space were written the words, ‘‘Gone, Going, Gone.’’

‘‘I gave the envelope to the police, ’’ she said.

Several hours later, Baker arrived at the scene to collect items that may have been in the house.

Baker said he did not know anyone who may have wanted to harm him.

As of Saturday evening, Warren firefighter Bryan Binko said the destruction at 471 Oriole was caused by a natural gas explosion, but the department is investigating what triggered it.

Ohio Edison, East Ohio gas and members of the city’s Operations Department were called to cut off service to the house and several neighboring homes.

Randy Stelk, one of the fire investigators sent to the scene early Saturday morning, said he has never seen such complete destruction from an explosion.

‘‘When I arrived, there were a couple of hot spots that were still being put down,’’ Stelk said. ‘‘Right now, we are not sure if there is any indication of arson or not. It is still under investigation.

Ellery and Alysia Reed, 461 Oriole S.W., said they were awakened by the loud boom and shaking of their home.

‘‘We were in bed,’’ said Alysia Reed, 33. ‘‘My son ran in to our room. He said the window next to his bed had broken. It shattered over him.

‘‘When I got up, I saw the smoke and fire from the house next door,’’ Ellery Reed, 32, said. ‘‘We just got on our socks and shoes and ran out of our house.’’

By the time the family ran outside, 471 Oriole Place was already leveled, with emergency vehicles at the scene.

The side of the Reeds’ home and three cars were buried by the wood and debris.

Lisa Osborne, 36, 441 Oriole Place S.W., said she heard a big boom, and her window fans falling from her windows. Her lights went out. Her sons, Gregory and Zimmri, ran into her room yelling .

When they ran outside, another neighbor, known as Pops, yelled for someone to call 9-1-1.

‘‘I couldn’t,’’ Osborne said. ‘‘We didn’t have any power in our house.

Two families were referred to the Red Cross to receive housing and other assistance.

rsmith@tribune-chronicle.com

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Story from the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 8/1/2006...

Warren explosion site is cleaned up
By AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCH Tribune Chronicle
Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple

Bob Kruppa cleans up what’s left of the rental home he owned at 471 Oriole Place S.W. The bungalow was leveled July 1 by a natural gas explosion. The explosion also damaged neighboring properties.

WARREN — Investigators still haven’t released an official report on what led to the natural gas explosion July 1 that leveled 471 Oriole Place S.W.

In the meantime, the property owner has started the cleanup process, clearing away the rubble and debris left over from the inferno.

‘‘We’ve got about two days of work,’’ owner Bob Kruppa said. ‘‘We’ve got concrete blocks, wood, all of the normal stuff from a house to pick up.’’

Kruppa, a licensed contractor with the city of Warren, rented equipment from the Crump Co. of Youngstown to clean up the mess.

While it’s been determined that natural gas caused the blast, investigators still aren’t saying what led to the explosion.

Neighbors woke up to an explosion and the shaking of their own homes at 7:30 a.m. July 1 when the roof from the green bungalow shot skyward and landed against a neighbor’s house. The walls blew out, leaving rescue workers to pick through the rubble, trying to make sure there wasn’t anyone trapped beneath the bricks and mortar.

Ohio Edison, Dominion East Ohio gas and members of the city’s Operations Department were called to cut off utility service to the house and several neighboring homes after the explosion. Two families were helped with temporary housing assistance by the American Red Cross.

Chris Taneyhill, with the Warren Building Department, said it’s not unusual for a home that’s suffered catastrophic damage to sit for a long time before it’s cleaned up.

‘‘Sometimes it takes a long time before the insurance companies and investigators are done with their work,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s good that it’s getting cleaned up.’’

Kruppa said he’s not sure what he’ll do with the lot once he gets it cleared.

‘‘It might just be a lot for a while,’’ he said.



ateutsch@tribune-chronicle.com