Furnace suspected in home fire

NEGLEY -- Fire investigators are looking at a faulty furnace as the cause of a fire that destroyed a mobile home here.
Negley Fire Chief Jerry Hoon said firefighters were called to the home of James and Crystal Adams, 10269 State Route 170, around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.
No one was home, he said. The couple have four children, all under 12.
Hoon said the fire had already broken through a back bedroom wall when firefighters arrived. High winds quickly spread the fire, he said.
Family members told Hoon they had been having trouble with the furnace in the past few days.
He estimated loss at $50,000. The home was not insured.
Hoon said 22 firefighters from Negley, East Palestine and New Waterford responded.
Fire crews were on the scene until about 7 p.m.
Leslie Louk, director of community resources for North Columbiana County American Red Cross in Salem, said the Red Cross is assisting the family, as well as members of two families who shared a home in New Waterford.
Anyone wishing to donate furniture or other household items may call Louk at (330) 332-0028.