Cause of fatal trailer fire under investigation; home had no smoke detectors

NEWTON FALLS

Investigators are sifting through the decimated remains of the mobile home at 80 King’s Drive in Blue Water Manor, Newton Township, to determine what started the fire that killed Samuel J. LaPolla, 62, early Tuesday.

LaPolla’s body was found in a bedroom in the center of the structure in the general area where the fire began at 3:23 a.m. His dog, Cobo, was found dead of smoke inhalation near the front door. The park is off of Carson Salt Springs Road west of Lordstown.

LaPolla, who used to be a truck driver, was disabled and lived alone in the trailer with Cobo, said his neighbor, Barbara Yarolim.

One reason she knew LaPolla was that she would watch Cobo when LaPolla was gone for a number of days.

“He was a very kindhearted man,” she said. “He would have done anything for anyone.”

Yarolim said she and some neighbors took care of burying Cobo’s body because LaPolla cared a great deal about Cobo and had left instructions.