×

Candles blamed for fire

East Palestine and New Waterford firefighters donned their turnout gear complete with air packs and hiked about a quarter-mile up a narrow driveway to fight a basement fire at 4987 Peace Valley Road Saturday night. (Salem News photo by Patti Schaeffer)

UNITY TWP. — A basement cleaning project turned into a fire on Peace Valley Road in Unity Township this weekend, and scented candles are to blame.

East Palestine Fire Chief Josh Brown said on Monday that the family of the home at 4987 Peace Valley Road had just finished cleaning out the basement and had lit some scented candles to freshen the air.

Brown said the home is owned by Daniel Cresanto, who lives there with his family.

The family went upstairs after cleaning the basement and were alerted to the fire when a smoke detector went off, Brown added.

The call came in to the department just before 10 p.m. Saturday. When the first crew arrived a few minutes later, firefighters found a fire burning at the bottom of the basement stairs, Brown said.

East Palestine, New Waterford and Negley departments responded to the call as part of the mutual aid agreement, with 37 firefighters on scene between the three departments.

Brown said the crews were able to get the fire extinguished quickly, and it did not spread to the rest of the home, although the entire home did have smoke damage. There was also minimal water damage.

The home is insured, he added.

He also said that although the home is located in a secluded area that can only be accessed by a long, winding driveway, there were no problems and the firefighting efforts “went smoothly.”

No injuries to the occupants or firefighters were reported, he added

He also said the Cresanto family was displaced temporarily as a result of the fire. They were able to stay with relatives.

Firefighters left the property around 12:30 a.m.

kwhite@mojonews.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today