Authorities: Canton house fire where dead body found was 'intentionally set'
CANTON – City firefighters found a man dead inside a burning home early Wednesday and say they found evidence the fire was intentionally set.
Authorities responded at 1:27 a.m. to 200 Lincoln Avenue NW, a one-and-a-half-story house that had heavy fire when firefighters arrived. When firefighters entered the front door, they found the body of a deceased man.
"Evidence found on the scene by investigators indicate the fire was intentionally set," the Canton Fire Department said in a news release. Authorities have not shared the specific evidence that made them conclude the fire was arson.
Investigators are asking that anyone with information related to the fire contact the Canton Fire Department at 330-649-5900 and or the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal at 800-589-2728.
Later Wednesday investigators with the State Fire Marshal labeled the fire as arson. The agency is seeking tips from the public to help identify those responsible.
Video captured by witnesses show multiple people fleeing the scene at the time of the fire. A reward of $5,000 is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728. Callers can remain anonymous.
The Stark County Coroner's Office had not publicly identified the victim as of Wednesday afternoon. Tamara "Tammy" Wilkes, forensic investigator, said she expects to know by Thursday whether the man was breathing immediately before he died.
"Right now, we do see evidence that the body was impinged on by fire, but that's all I know," Wilkes said.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and were able to protect two nearby structures, the Canton Fire Department said in a news release, adding that the home will likely need to be razed.
Fire department investigators received video from a neighbor's doorbell camera, Henderson said.
The structure is considered a total loss, according to the fire department's incident report.
The Stark County Auditor's Office appraised the value of the house, built in 1908 at $10,600. The property was apparently rented, as the auditor's records show the owner lives in Nimishillen Township.
The house is located in a tightly packed residential neighborhood on the first block north of the busy commercial area on West Tuscarawas Street and the fourth block west of Waterworks Park.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton firefighters find dead body in burning home, suspect arson
