Area Arson Fires Remain Unresolved

Three arson fires in 2006 remain unresolved: the fire that destroyed a half block of Wauseon's downtown district, and two separate fires that destroyed a vacant farmhouse and barn near Stryker.

Matt Mullins, a spokesman for the Ohio State Fire Marshall Office, said the April 14 fire in Wauseon still is under investigation.

A reward is being offered in connection with the blaze, which destroyed several downtown buildings, businesses, and a storefront church.

Those who have information about the fire can contact the fire marshall office or the Wauseon Police.

Restaurant

The fire started in the Doc Holliday's restaurant. Wauseon firefighters made an attempt to fight the fire from inside the building, but Marv Wheeler, Wauseon Fire Department chief, said the fire had already progressed into the ceiling and was moving laterally.

The threat of collapsing ceilings and floors was too great for firefighters to remain inside.

The fire spread through the ceilings and roof structures of the old buildings; firefighters were unable to stop it.

Wheeler said he spent several sleepless nights wondering if there was anything firefighters could have done differently to stop the blaze.

He said while he might change some minor things, overall, he "would not do anything a lot different."

Farmstead

Archbold and Stryker fire departments, along with others, battled two fires at an unused farmstead at 24635 Williams Co. Rd. F-50, both of which have been determined to be arson fires.

A two-story farmhouse, which had been unoccupied for many years, burned during the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 24.

A second blaze, on Saturday, Dec. 1, brought down a barn on the same property.

Investigators from the fire marshall office determined the house fire was intentionally set. Fire investigators from the Williams County Sheriff Department determined the barn fire also was started by an arsonist.

Paul McCord, a deputy with the Williams County Sheriff Department, said Williams County deputies have suspects in both cases, but no charges have been filed.

All three incidents remain under investigation.