Published: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Fires set in house 3 times
A $5,000 reward is offered for tips that lead to suspects.
YOUNGSTOWN — If at first you don't succeed ...
Perhaps it's with that adage in mind that arsonists set fire at least three times to a two-story house at 129 N. Evanston Ave. on the West Side.
Firefighters first encountered flames in a second floor bedroom that spread to the attic and burned through the roof at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Most of the roof collapsed.
The occupant, 29-year-old Georgia Lytle, told firefighters that she and her three children would stay with a friend. Gas and electric service connections were then cut and the meters removed. Firefighters submitted a request for demolition of the seven-room house, built in 1912.
The spacious old house is encased in white aluminum siding, some of which is now withered from fire heat. Plywood was used to board up the place. Toys in the detached garage and a stuffed gray bear on the sidewalk are signs that children once lived there.
On Friday, firefighters were sent to the house around 10 p.m. This time, fire was in the kitchen area. A can of lighter fluid was taken as evidence.
Then, around 3 a.m. Saturday, fire crews were dispatched again. They found a small fire on the front porch and an aerosol can burning nearby. The north side of the house also was defaced.
Witness's account
Darlene Kerensky, who lives across the street from 129 N. Evanston, said she was asleep when the first fire started.
"My mom woke me up — it was 12:30, broad daylight — can you believe it?" Kerensky said Monday, standing with her dog Oreo near the burned-out house. "It's sad it happened on account of the kids."
Kerensky said a red, two-door car, possibly a Chevrolet, showed up to watch firefighters the first time the house was set on fire.
Capt. Alvin Ware, commander of the arson bureau, said he interviewed neighbors Monday and has a few leads. He called what happened — and continues to happen — "revenge arson."
Ware said the house on North Evanston was broken into a couple of weeks before the first fire, and a TV was taken, among other items.
The house, Ware said, was also the residence of Lytle's boyfriend, Edwyn Hostutler, 31. The arson investigator said he's heard they are no longer together.
A message left for Lytle was not returned.
Hostutler has two breaking and entering charges pending at Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. He is accused of stealing scrap for its resale value.
Records show a bench warrant was issued Thursday for Hostutler, who is accused of violating probation in a felony receiving stolen property case out of Boardman.
Reward for tips
A sign tacked to plywood covering the front door at 129 N. Evanston announces that a $5,000 reward is being offered by the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee. The insurance industry offers such rewards for information leading to identification of those responsible for the arson.
Tipsters can call (330) 782-0055.
Between 20 percent and 25 percent of arson fires are drug related, according to the Ohio Insurance Institute.
Ware said the house on North Evanston belonged to Lytle's father, now deceased, and had no insurance. He said the property is part of the estate in probate court.
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