State office believes grill caused fire

State office believes grill caused fire

WARREN

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office says it has found no evidence to support a conclusion that a charcoal grill had been lit a short time before the start of the June 16 fatal house fire on Landsdowne Avenue Northwest.

The office said it had found no physical evidence and gained no information during “extensive interviews with witnesses, family members and friends that supports the grill was lit at, or around, 3 a.m.”

Fire Chief Ken Nussle said last week that information had been obtained from a relative of Derek Dorsey, 30, that he had been dropped off at his home at about 3 a.m. Nussle said he suspected the grill had been used sometime after that.

The fire, reported to 911 at 4:43 a.m., killed Derek Dorsey, his fiance, Audrea Johnson, 31; their two children, Derek Dorsey Jr., 10, and Ariell Dorsey, 9; Derek Sr.’s niece, Miracle Hugley, 9; and Audrea’s niece, Ja’Niece Hicks, 13, of Columbus.

The state office believes the fire was caused by the grill, but it was most likely last used during a family cookout the day before the fire. Charcoal briquettes can retain enough heat to ignite a fire for 12 to 26 hours, the statement said.

Robbed at gunpoint

NILES

A Cynthia Court couple was robbed at gunpoint of cash and a wedding ring at 11:06 p.m. Friday in their home. The couple reported that they discovered two men in their house with handguns. The two men held the couple at gunpoint while demanding money, saying they would kill them if they didn’t cooperate. The two robbers left with an undetermined amount of cash and the husband’s wedding ring. Cynthia Court is on the west side of state Route 46 not far from Niles Union Cemetery.

Town-hall meeting

YOUNGSTOWN

Issues including the state budget’s impact on the local economy, prison sentencing reform and a proposal to require photo identification for voters will be discussed at a town-hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. July 11 at the New Bethel Baptist Church’s old sanctuary, 1507 Hillman St. The doors open at 5:15 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Youngstown Warren Chapter of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, ACTION, Youngstown Community Mobilization Committee, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Baptist Pastors Council, Union Baptist Core Team, and SEIU/Fight for a Fair Economy, Members of Youngstown City Council and the Mahoning Trumbull AFL-CIO.