A fire Thursday at this house on West 23rd Street in Lorain is believed to have started in the kitchen. (CT photo by Bruce Bishop.)
LORAIN — Holly Conner said she’s grateful to a neighbor who spotted flames coming out of her West 23rd Street home Thursday morning and pounded on her door to wake her up.
“I’m a heavy sleeper, so she did save my life,” said Conner, 19. “She said she heard this big old boom and looked towards my house and saw it on fire.”
Conner said the house at 615 W. 23rd St. was filled with thick smoke, “which hit my face instantly.”
She was able to make it out with her dogs, Macy and Baby, but her calico cat, LuLu, was found dead inside the home after firefighters extinguished the flames.
The cause of the fire, which started in the kitchen, is under investigation, and it will likely be ruled accidental, said Lorain Assistant Fire Chief Gary Burls.
When firefighters arrived, there were visible flames coming from an air conditioner in the kitchen window, but it is unknown whether the appliance failed, Burls said.
He said the interior of the house was completely fire- or smoke-damaged, and it could be a total loss exceeding $50,000.
The home is owned by Conner’s stepfather, Tom Morris, who said the exterior appears sound. Morris said he did not know if he would rebuild.
Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.
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