Lorain/Elyria, OH
UPDATE: Elyria fire suspicious, could be ruled arson, fire chief says
Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
ELYRIA — The fire that destroyed Yolanda Panter’s home at 114 Highland Court early today is suspicious and could be ruled an arson, Fire Chief Richard Benton said today.
It is the second fire at the home in four months, and Panter was not at home either time, Benton said.
The first fire in November caused significant damage and the home, which was under repair, was completely destroyed in the second fire, which was reported by neighbors and passers-by.
Listen to audio from the 911 calls:
Call 1:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Call 2:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Call 3:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Calls 4 and 5:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Today’s fire involved all four floors — the basement, first floor, second floor and attic, Benton said. He said it is suspicious because it grew so large in such a small amount of time and was not reported until it was almost fully engulfed. The fire site is prominent — just up the hill from the bushes that spell out Elyria and across the street from the county 911 building (see map below).
The department’s arson investigators have requested a crime scene dog that can sniff out gasoline and other accelerents, Benton said.
Meanwhile, Panter and several of her 10 children said they are distraught over the loss of the home she lived in for nearly 50 years.
The threat to neighbors — including George and Sakeena Rose and their seven children, was the worst part if the fire is indeed ruled an arson, Yolanda Panter said.
“It’s just a very heartless thing to do,” Panter said.
“At first when I got the call that our house was on fire I thought it was a sick joke,” said Panter’s youngest daughter, Mary, 34.
“My mom has lived in that home nearly 50 years and we were going to have her 50th Christmas and 50th New Years in that home,” she said.
About a month ago, things seemed to be going so well, Mary Panter said.
Renovations were being made to fix the home and she and her mother got to meet President Barack Obama when he dropped into Smitty’s to eat during his visit to Lorain County.
Click on any photo to view larger:
Next-door neighbor George Rose said despite the peril his family was placed in, he’s a grateful man today.
His family was able to escape their own burning home at 112 Highland Court.
Rose, a meat cutter at Fligner’s, said escaping the burning home with seven children ranging from four months to 16 years old was very frightening.
The front door was sticking when he tried to open it.
Finally he got it open but he decided not to take a chance because flames were advancing on the doorway.
“I could feel heat on the left side of my face so I ran back to the living room and kicked out the screen and started putting the kids through the window,” he said.
Elyria police Patrolman Richard Walker took the children in his arms and carried them to safety.
Rose is truly grateful because no one was injured, but he says the experience was horrible.
“They went out in their underwear,” he said.
Everyone is trying to carry on, but “the older kids are more traumatized than the younger kids,” he said.
Besides Rose and his wife, Sakeena, the blended family consists of Rose’s two step-children Sakeena Vargas, 16, and Henry Vargas, 15, as well as their children Chad, 9, Richard, 7, Sherry, 6, George III, 1, and Ruby, four months.
It was Ruby who was being born when the last fire occurred in November at the home next door.
Listen along as firefighters fought the fire:
Scanner clip 1:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scanner clip 2:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scanner clip 3:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Don’t forget, you could have been listening along live to the CT’s online police and fire scanner.)
Rose said repairman had just installed windows Monday in the burned home which is being repaired, and they left about 4 or 5 p.m.
The family is getting assistance from the Red Cross, but Rose has no clue about their plans for the next few weeks.
One thing is sure, however, there’s no moving back immediately into their rented home, which is burned and damaged from smoke and water.
“The dining room got the worst of it,” he said.
After the first fire at the home next door, the Rose family did not have to move out, but this is a completely different story, he said.
“I’ve never been through anything like this,” he said.
A fire was initially reported at 114 Highland Court about 1:20 a.m., according to Elyria Fire Capt. Joseph Pronesti. The fire spread to 112 Highland Court and 203 Gateway Boulevard.
Manpower and water issues were evident from the start, Pronesti said. Only 10 firefighters were on duty when the call came in, and firefighters had difficulty finding a working hydrant in the area. There was also a small mechanical problem with the Elyria Fire Department’s tower truck, but Pronesti said that was fixed within a few minutes.
114 Highland, where the fire started, is a vacant home that was the scene of another fire in November, Pronesti said.
Because there weren’t enough firefighters, Pronesti said he asked Walker to try to evacuate 112 Highland Court.
“I really have to thank him for what he did,” Pronesti said. “I told him if it was too bad, not to do it, but he really went above and beyond and risked his own life.”
Fire departments from Sheffield, Avon, Lorain and Elyria Township were called in for aid. Pronesti said fire departments from townships around the county were called in to set up a water shuttle — essentially a pool of water that can be trucked in and refilled from working hydrants — but it wound up not being needed.
Elyria police were called in to assist with traffic control issues, which were made worse due to the water problems because hoses had to be run across streets from the few working hydrants in the area.
Pronesti said the fire was under control in about an hour and a half or two hours and that firefighters remained on the scene for about three hours.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Pronesti. He didn’t have damage estimates for the homes, but said 114 Highland was a total loss, 112 Highland is uninhabitable and 203 Gateway is damaged but still inhabitable.
Check back at Chroniclet.com for more info as it becomes available.
Stories on the previous fire at 114 Highland:
View Elyria multihome fire in a larger map
Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered,
click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.
mom………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(Report comment)
Scary fire. Glad they all got out.
(Report comment)
it was a “horrendous” fire.
Please I hope they give my mom some answers……….
and our neighbors as well this time……….
This was the November fre at my mothers house…..
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/11/13/fire-damages-elyria-home/comment-page-1/
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/11/16/cat-found-alive-after-house-fire/
(Report comment)
Very glad they got out, terrible to lose their home.
Very glad that the police officer was not hurt nor the firemen.
I know what is going to happen to this thread, we all do, and it will get us nowhere unfortunately. Would be nice if we could make some change huh?
That did look like a very nasty fire. Hope there are more details that we can help the family out later.
CB
(Report comment)
If it was really all about safety then efd would take some real concessions and get more guys back on duty , but they are too selfish and will not take any concessions , because it is all about greed. There has been more fires since efd went into negeotions than probably all of last year . How many of the departments that were called in for mutual aid were volunteer departments?
How many efd were scheduled for duty yesterday , and how many actually showed up? this is the information people want to know. How many called off ? Do some real reporting CT and get those number for your readers.
(Report comment)
Thank you Country Pumpkin….
The first responders were awesome.
(Report comment)
Rick Walker is a good man, thanks Rick
(Report comment)
This fire was bad !!! Thank god that house had been unoccupied there would of been no way for anyone to survive that! This fire should be a lesson to the city of elyria to fix non working hydrants and have more firefighters on hand. In my opnion i hope this wakes up the city of elyria…expessially watching the police pull out 2 kids from a burning home…What if those were your kids in your house that was burning?????? This is a shame to see. I feel so safe knowing i live on a street where there are very few working hydrants!!!!! Whats really sad is there are alot of children on this street and the houses are so close together all old homes aything could happen anytime… all im saying is elyria is so worried about planting flowers on 57 but what about fire hyrants? what about more firefighters? What exactly are we paying taxes for?
(Report comment)
My heart goes out to Ms. Yolanda, Ms. Penne…You have given so many memories as a child and have opened your home up to alot of kids. And this is a total shame that this has happened to you! You are a wonderful woman and I wish there is something that I could do for you. From what i understood you were close to moving back into your home from the first fire. and I’m glad that no one was hurt then and now. God Bless You! your old neighbor girl on the corner will always remember you.
(Report comment)
Would be a good time for people to check their fire detectors and have a fire escape plan and practice it a few times, you should always rely on yourself, not hope that someone is going to save you.
(Report comment)
DEPUTY DUMB ASS - Where do you get the facts to support your dumb ass statements? the firefighters were the first to offer concessions and try to negotiate (not the EPD or any other group).
Avon, Sheffield and Lorain are not volunteer fire departments - you should know that dumb ass.
QUOTE: There has been more fires since efd went into negeotions than probably all of last year. BACK UP THIS STATEMENT MR. DUMBASS!
Instead of spending your time posting nonsense here, why don’t you go and find out how many firemen were scheduled to work and how many called off? Can’t be too many cause Elyria does not have that many firefighters scheduled on a shift anymore!
(Report comment)
EFD were first to offer consessions for many reasons. Hmmm maybe after the Mcgrath report came out they wanted to look like they cared about the citizenz and city. The reputation is tarnished and they have been robbing the city blind for years.
(Report comment)
i grew up in that house just as my aunts and uncles before me. it’s sad to see our childhood home destroyed like it is. i hope the cop’s find who did this, come on were not stupid we have had major conflict with the people who live’s next to us on the corner. it’s really ironic how the house caught on fire just as it had a few more repairs. well all i have to say is “what goes around,comes around” and that “carma’s a bitch”. anyway it’s also sad to say that my brother,uncle,aunt, and my gram’s lost every thing i wish i was there. but i guess the only thing we can really do is to remeber all the good times we had. my heart also goes out to rose and family.
(Report comment)
As far as the fires in the city, i think EFD needs to get rid of the dvd “Backdraft”! I guess since no overtime is allocated to check the hydrants they just stop doing it, no lining of the pockets who cares about it. Mechanical problems on a new truck, a million dollar truck? Come on with the price tag of that thing it should be free of flaws. Plus im so sick of the man power issue here, the last fire off Defiance they called in for mutual aid? What was EFD thinking? Avon FD and Sheffield FD where sitting around with there tumbs in their butts watching EFD pulling udders.Good Job EFD!!!!!! Save any foundations lately?
(Report comment)
Getaclue quote “Where do you get the facts to support your dumb ass statements? the firefighters were the first to offer concessions and try to negotiate (not the EPD or any other group).”
99% of the so called concessions were fluff. If someone retires it is not a concession. If someone is laid off you can not count their unemployment a concession.
— $73,000 from eliminating the $1,000 clothing allowance for firefighters.
No one working outside of a government union job gets this.
— $25,200 from eliminating the premium for firefighters on driver’s duty.
No one working outside of a government union job gets this because they drive a special vehicle.
— $12,600 from eliminating the hazmat training premium.
Most people have to pay for their own education outside of union jobs.
— $50,000 from demotions of a number of lieutenants to firefighters.
Most people in the US have taken pay cuts in the US. Not union workers.
— $50,000 from eliminating college incentive allowances.
Most companies have cut college reimbursement in these bad times.
— $104,000 in savings from three expected retirements.
I do not care how the EFD spins this. If someone retires they retire. It’s not a concession.
— $13,475 in health insurance savings from the three retirements.
I do not care how the EFD spins this. If someone retires they retire. It’s not a concession.
— $33,000 in savings on pension payments it won’t have to make because of the retirements.
I do not care how the EFD spins this. If someone retires they retire. It’s not a concession.
— $152,000 in unemployment the city won’t have to pay the 10 firefighters who would have been laid off.
I do not care how the EFD spins this. It’s not a concession, period.
— $6,300 in income tax revenue it will receive from the 10 firefighters who would have been laid off.
I do not care how the EFD spins this. It’s not a concession, period.
— $125,000 from the city’s water fund to pay for firefighters’ time to flush hydrants.
Rob Peter to pay Paul? WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Report comment)
Didn’t the McGrath report recommend getting rid of the brand new million + truck because it didn’t have a pumper on it?
Maybe now we know why!
(Report comment)
smith and dumb ass; you two should be put out of your misery. You have the gall and brainless need to spout your repetitive crap when peoples lives are in danger and our safety service men are risking their lives to protect people and property shows what complete idiots you are. You two should either be put in an insane asylum or tarred and feathered and run out of town. It is unthinkable that anyone would be so callous and self centered but I guess we should expect that from you two.I hope some people that know who you are will lambaste the hell out of you and send you to where you really belong and good riddance.
(Report comment)
Loving Life, the McGrath report did in fact recommend selling the truck back. What happend to the recommendation, ignored. But i have heard that the Bill Grace AKA “Piglet” didnt want to sell the truck because it was built under specs for the city. That Tower tuck is designed for cities like Cleveland, Chicago and etc… Not
Elyria. Why EFD wanted a truck that big, i dont know. Again open check book and some hob knobbing at city hall.
(Report comment)
TheShadow, i do belong right where iam at. That is Elyria Ohio, E- town, the getto, the hood!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the gall and brains to see the waste first hand, oh so first hand. Open your eyes taxpayer, smell the coffee!!!!!
(Report comment)
My heart goes out to my family @ 114 highland ct. Mom has always been a kind hearted, loving woman. She has never turned anyone away, if they needed a place to stay they had one. She has opened her home, many times to my children and my self , any time we needed a place to stay. She has always welcomed me, even after my seporatation from her son. I never would have known, what I would have done with out her. She has help me through rough times, She has taught me alot about life. She helped me grow up. She is my Gaurdian Angel, as well as to so many others. It is so appauling that someone could be so viscious, and cruel. I hope the person, or persons who commited this horrific crime will be punished to the fullest extent. My heart also goes out to the Rose family. I will always keep everyone in my prayers & all of the loving and fun memories we all have shared in that house.
(Report comment)
Elyria Fire Dept. had 10 people there and couldn’t pull anyone away from working on a burning vacant house to perform a rescue that was managed by one police officer? Sounds like manpower isn’t the issue, just the decision-making.
Quit complaining about manpower and do the best you can with what you have like everyone else.
(Report comment)
milton. You had better get your facts right before you post or you will be another dumbass. reread the article and then come back and post a”whoops , i was wrong”.
(Report comment)
Theshadow
what about when efd tried to use the little boys death in the river for their own personal gain?
what about when efd tried to use the death of the couple on hawthorne st for their own personal gain?
what about when efd tried to use the death of the man on west river rd north to further there agenda?
if anyone should be run out of town it is efd , they have abused every loop hole they can find to line their pockets all at the expence of the safety of the taxpayers of elyria. People can see right through efd and all of the games they play.
If anyone is a IDIOT it is you Theshadow and every single one of you that pull on peoples heart strings to further efd squandering every last penny the can from the people of elyria, those of efd should be ashamed of themselves , if a normal person pulled the crap that efd does they would be absolutly ashamed to be seen by the public. if any busieness in the real world pulled that kind of crap the very same efd would scream bloody murder , but because it is the the selfish , greedy , self centered people that they are, they are to arogant to see how bad the people of elyria perceive them. it is absoluty pathetic how they have robed this city blind , and still cry and sue to get more.
i truly commend the epd police officer for his heroic actions , he is the true hero , and by his actions alone put efd to shame.
(Report comment)
Milton quote: “Elyria Fire Dept. had 10 people there and couldn’t pull anyone away from working on a burning vacant house to perform a rescue that was managed by one police officer? Sounds like manpower isn’t the issue, just the decision-making. “
Theshadow quote: “milton. You had better get your facts right before you post or you will be another dumbass. reread the article and then come back and post a”whoops , i was wrong”.
CT article posted above quote: “Only 10 firefighters were on duty when the call came in, and firefighters had difficulty finding a working hydrant in the area. There was also a small mechanical problem with the Elyria Fire Department’s tower truck, but Pronesti said that was fixed within a few minutes.”
The McGrath audit showed that every Elyria Fire fighter took an average of 15 (24 hour) sick days over a one year span. Some took more, some less. When Pronesti reports 10 showed up for work that day I wish he would post how many called in sick. If you do the math 15 days of sick time equates to 2.465 firemen calling in sick every day.
Every news channel reported that the chief claimed they were so under staffed there was little they could do. I strongly suggest the city of Elyria give up on this department.
We paid them over 5 million dollars last year. The city could save 5 million if we move to a volunteer fire department. I guarantee a volunteer department would care a lot more about this city then the current group making over $100,000 a year and calling in sick all the time.
(Report comment)
I really want to commend the police department and the fire department for working together to save the families. I know its tough for both departments but I think they did a great job with what they had.
I am concerned though with the fire hydrants. I have seen every year the fire hydrants being tested by the fire department. That should be their responsibility still, but someone told me today it was due to their not getting overtime to check them, so they don’t. I can not believe this - they do have time available still I am sure during their 24 hour shifts. I hope its due to the weather issues and maybe it just hasnt been checked in a while due to manpower cuts. Would like to know from a fire fighter what the procedure on hydrants is?
Also thankyou CT fairy for fixing my first post!
(Report comment)
Andrea;
I am sorry for your families loss. Yes - it sounds too coincidental to be an accident.
Be thankful its not life that was lost - though its a small comfort.
CB
(Report comment)
TheShadow, I did reread the article and was again amazed at how 10 Elyria firemen became so focused on a house that was totally destroyed by fire when they showed up, couldn’t get their ladder truck to work, couldn’t deal with one bad fire hydrant, completely disregarded the neighbors trapped in their burning house and afterwards complained about their manpower. I’m not sure what it is that I’m wrong about.
(Report comment)
Country Bumpkin Quote: “I am concerned though with the fire hydrants. I have seen every year the fire hydrants being tested by the fire department. That should be their responsibility still, but someone told me today it was due to their not getting overtime to check them, so they don’t.
Country Bumpkin the EFD received more overtime then any other department in the city last year (2009). They have to deal with about 12 real fires a year. They are upset at the city for not paying them more so they do as little as possible to keep Elyria safe.
If we move to a volunteer department we will get 10X the service we are getting now for free. The 5 million we spend and this group of money hungry thieves needs to end.
(Report comment)
Milton – The EFD employees posting under different names are not the sharpest marbles out there.
Taxpayer, TheShadow, Getaclue, Jack, Tom, Dick and Harry. They go by many different names. They never post facts, just a lot of name calling and false accusations.
Elyria really needs to remove this entire department. They are a disgrace to this city.
(Report comment)
Look at it this way
if efd dindt play there games , then maybe this poor womans house could of been saved , there would of been more on duty , the responce times could have been better. its time to fix the problem , if those on efd dont want to show up for work , get rid of them. the one in charge that night didnt seem all that concerned , but he sure had time to be sweet to the 911 dispatcher calling her Honey and all. The ladder truck might ovf been fixed in minutes AFTER they finalyy got ahold of 2 mechanics to report to the fire to collect overtime. The ladder truck and every other piece of equipment should be tested EVERY day just like they do with the radio system. What is EFD doing all day long , it is obvious what they are not doing, testing equipment , testing fire hydrants , thinking ahead for the safety of Elyria. How much more is going to have to happen to see that the current EFD is not getting the job done , and certainly not getting the job done in a economical way.
(Report comment)
I am not one to agree with SpewingBull but he does bring up some very good points.
(Report comment)