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Suspected arson burns site of recent Lawrence County drug raid
Firefighters respond to a fire that damaged two houses Thursday, July 2, 2009, on Rosslyn Road in Lawrence County, Ohio.
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CHESAPEAKE, Ohio -- The site of a recent drug raid attracted investigators of a different kind Thursday.
State fire marshals believe arson may have destroyed an abandoned home about 10:45 a.m. Thursday and caused heavy damage to the neighboring house. Both structures are located on Township Road 1042, commonly known as Booth Street.
Federal agents and local authorities raided the neighboring house June 23. They seized three firearms and three-quarters of a pound of marijuana as they followed an eight-month drug conspiracy trafficking major amounts of crack cocaine and heroin into the Tri-State.
Shane Cartmill, spokesman for the Ohio Fire Marshal, said his investigators are aware of the prior activity.
"There is no indication this fire is related to any other crimes in the area. However, that is something investigators certainly will take into consideration as the investigation progresses," he said. "Fire investigators will work with local law enforcement officials to share information."
Investigators want to speak with anyone who noticed anything out of the ordinary near the scene Thursday morning. Those people, and anyone with information about the fire, should contact 800-589-2728.
Ed Webb, assistant chief of the Chesapeake-Union Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire was fully involved when crews arrived. Flames were through the roof and walls of the abandoned residence.
It quickly spread next door, causing heavy fire and water damage, Webb said. People lived at the neighboring house, but nobody was present at the time.
No injuries were reported.
No utilities were connected to the abandoned house.
Water hoses blocked County Road 1 and Rosslyn Street, forcing officials to close both roads.
Volunteer firefighters from Proctorville and Fayette Township helped Chesapeake at the scene.
The neighboring structure's relationship to last week's investigation were confirmed by addresses obtained from Cartmill and Lawrence County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Bollinger.
