State investigates austintown fire, death

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One neighbor heard screams of 'Help me out, help me out.'

By PATRICIA MEADE

VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER

AUSTINTOWN — An investigator with the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office will determine what sparked an apartment fire where a 45-year-old woman died.

Robin Kellar was found dead Friday morning inside a back bedroom at her first-floor apartment at 1015 Compass West. The fire, called in at 8:46 a.m., had been confined to Kellar's master bedroom at the front of the two-story eight-plex, said Fire Chief Andrew Frost Jr.

He said there was no evidence that a smoke detector activated. He said the township fire code requires that apartment complexes have smoke detectors.

Frank DeMain Jr., Mahoning County coroner's investigator, said Kellar had blood on her face and head. He said that, with the electric off due to the fire, the apartment was too dark to examine her further.

When asked if foul play was involved, DeMain said more information would be available after an autopsy.

Police Chief Robert Gavalier said a state fire marshal investigator would determine if an accelerant was used to start the fire. He said the blood on Kellar's face may have been from broken glass.

When asked why the victim didn't make it out of the first-floor apartment, the chief said, "I don't know."

Friends, neighbors gather

Lee Bethune, Ohio State Fire Marshal investigator on duty this week, responded to the scene, Frost said. The fire chief said he hopes to hear back from the investigator next week.

Residents of the apartment complex just off Burkey Road said windows were broken out at the front of Kellar's apartment in an effort to save her. Her son, Josh Kellar, who lives nearby, was among those breaking windows, neighbors said.

The son, who appeared to be in his 20s, was consoled by neighbors and friends outside the apartment. Dozens of residents, some displaced by smoke from the fire, milled in the parking lot.

Stacey John, 22, said she was not aware of the fire until another resident began knocking on doors. She said smoke was pouring out of apartment's front windows where the glass had been broken, adding the victim became trapped inside.

Patricia Bryant, who lives on the top floor of the eight-plex, said she heard screams, someone yelling "Help me out, help me out." Bryant described the victim as a "nice lady," adding, "It's sad."

A woman who has lived in the apartment complex for 16 years said her 24-year-old grandson and Kellar's son grew up together. She said Kellar, who was disabled and didn't work, had lived in the complex at least 20 years.

The woman, who asked that her name not be used, didn't know if Kellar smoked. She expressed sadness for Kellar's son, saying they had been very close.

meade@vindy.com

Saturday, December 16, 2006