LEETONIA State marshal probes firebombing

Neighbors doused the fire with buckets of water from a swimming pool.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- The state fire marshal is examining evidence to determine what type of flammable liquid was used in a weekend firebombing here.
The firebombing early Sunday at the home of Fire Chief Ken Garlough is the second in the village this summer.
Police Chief John Soldano said no one was at home about 2 a.m. Sunday when someone attempted to throw a lighted plastic bottle containing a flammable liquid through a rear window of the Garlough home at 374 Washington St.
Soldano said the plastic container broke the window but bounced back and landed on the wooden deck outside. The deck, some patio furniture and some siding on the back of the home were damaged, he said.
Help from neighbor
He said a passing motorist and a neighbor called police. A neighbor dumped buckets of water from a swimming pool and then used a garden hose to douse the flames.
Garlough said the neighbor removed his shirt to protect his hand and arm from the fire while he turned on an outside water faucet where the hose was attached. He said the neighbor had the fire out by the time firefighters arrived.
Garlough said he and his wife, Judy, son Scott and his brother Bill and their families were all camping at Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County when they learned about the fire. The Garlough men are all members of the fire department.
He said other than being tired this morning, all family members are OK.
Soldano said the state fire marshal took some evidence from the scene Sunday.
Soldano said fire officials aren't certain what type of flammable liquid was used.
"We're considering everything we possibly can," Soldano said, including whether Sunday's fire and a July 19 fire bombing are related.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to a conviction in the July 19 case, and a similar reward will likely be offered in Sunday's case, Soldano said.
Earlier fire
Police said on July 19 someone threw a glass bottle containing a flammable liquid through the dining room window of the home of John and Shirley Hearn at 541 Butcher Road.
Fire officials said the resulting fire at the Hearns' home burned the dining room wall, carpeting, curtains and furniture.
Fire officials said the Hearns were awakened by smoke detectors about 2 a.m. and John Hearn was able to put out the fire with a garden hose.
The Columbiana County Arson Task Force and the state fire marshal's office are assisting village police and fire officials, Soldano said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (330) 427-6731.