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Fire Kills 3 in Condemned House

6 comments

FIRE IN A LEBANON, OHIO, HOUSE DESTROYED the building early this morning (Monday) and killed three people who were inside.  The house had been condemned and was slated for demolition, however the owner of the house, Jerry Crisp said that there were two “friends of mine” who were living in the decrepit dwelling.

lebanon a enquirer dworecki

Enquirer photo by Dworecki

The three bodies were completely burned and the coroner says that he cannot yet tell if they were men or women.  The Cincinnati Enquirer adds:

When fire crews arrived on the scene, the fire was fully involved. Flames were shooting out of the back of the house.

Two bodies were found in the front room and a third body was found in another part of the three-family home built in 1900, said Fire Chief Hannigan.

“It is an old wood frame house and the fire had a substantial headway. When we got here they were probably already deceased,” Hannigan said. “There wasn’t anything we could have done to get them out and save them.”

The shingles on the roof had been blown off in a windstorm 13 months ago and there was a tarpaulin nailed down over the roof.  The Lebanon City Manager said that the house has a history of code violations including no plumbing and faulty electrical wiring.  Jerry Crisp, the owner, was formerly the Lebanon fire chief from 1975 until 1985, according to the fire department.

WKRC-TV Ch. 12 has this video report including some fire footage HERE.

The Cincinnati Enquirer has the STORY.

Also on FireGeezer…

Posted by on October 19, 2009 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: , ,
  • steveOreno

    It had no running water to it which in itself make that house un-inhabitable if Im not mistaken.It had a tarp covering a hole in the roof since August 2008.The owner of the house was the brother a local slum lord there in Lebanon Ohio named Brach Crisp.City manager claims the house was not condemned and slated to be demolished totally refuting the words of local fire chief of Lebanon in an interview with Cincinnati WKRC.This looks like some “good-ole boys”covering the rear of a former fire chief whom they cited for “no-smoke alarms”and “faulty wiring”in the same building.

  • steveOreno

    Turns out Mr.Crisp had another house fire up the street from this location,man he must have been one heck of a Fire Chief.

  • Cliff Richardson

    For your information (which is not conjecture, but fact) this
    house DID HAVE WATER. One inhabitant had a rather large
    vegetable garden in the back yard..you.might check the hose connection at the rear of the house.
    Also, if not, why does Mr. Crisp have water bills that he has been paying. The house was not condemned nor was it scheduled for demolition. Mr. Crisp found these two men on the street years ago sleeping in cardboard boxes. He gave them a place to live and provided for them their food,, clothing and shelter at no charge. Show us your credentials…I suggest that you get your stories straight before making unsubstantiated claims.
    The cause of the fire as not yet been established !

  • Cliff Richardson

    Mr. Oreno:
    How many lives have you saved lately as a fireman ? How do you
    suppose the Honey Festival was established years ago ? Tell us
    your contributions to the Lebanon community.

  • steveOreno

    Being a paid fireman doesnt make you a hero in my book.He has has had three properties burn to the ground in 12 years,and this from a former fire chief,which also would explain why those fires causes have been undetermined. I believe this is a matter for the FBI to investigate and I am seeking to bring this matter to national attention.It is my belief that Mr.Crisp is a danger to the public and is an arsonists of the worst kind.

  • steveOreno

    Being a paid fireman doesnt make you a hero in my book.He has has had three properties burn to the ground in 12 years,and this from a former fire chief,which also would explain why those fires causes have been undetermined. I believe this is a matter for the FBI to investigate and I am seeking to bring this matter to national attention.It is my belief that Mr.Crisp is a danger to the public and is an arsonists of the worst kind.