Fire officials awaiting test results on triple-fatal fire; bond revoked in related rape case

YOUNGSTOWN

Investigators were in agreement Wednesday that it may be a while before it can be determined what caused a fire early Monday that killed a couple and their 10-year-old granddaughter.

Fire Chief John O’Neill, investigator Capt. Alvin Ware and police Capt. Brad Blackburn, chief of detectives, all said they are waiting for tests to be performed on evidence taken from the 3631 Powers Way home where William and Judy Schmidt and their granddaughter, Corinne Gump, died after the blaze there at about 3:30 a.m.

On Monday, police said there had been no evidence any criminal activity was involved in the fire. Ware said Tuesday the blaze started in the basement.

The street still was blocked off Wednesday for investigators at Belden Avenue and Loveland Road, and a makeshift memorial for the victims continued to grow.

The girl was supposed to be a witness in a rape case against Robert Seman, 47, of West Calla Road in Goshen, who is accused of raping her. His trial was to begin Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, but it was continued.

His bond was revoked by Judge Maureen Sweeney, however, after prosecutors told her they received a report from a woman that Seman had offered her $10,000 over the weekend if she would tell authorities the child was lying.

Read more about the fire and the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.