FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

SOUTH WEBSTER — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a house fire that occurred Sunday in Scioto County.

Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Frantz was dispatched to 25 Dodds St., in South Webster, in reference to a house fire. When he arrived he spoke with the homeowner Kenneth Stone, who told him he had been at a friend’s house since before dark and returned to find the fire department was at his house.

While at the scene, a firefighter called Frantz’s attention to the upstairs of the home where the firefighter had found a large number of plastic two-liter bottles containing a dark liquid, which the report identified as WD-40, as well as other larger jugs containing liquids. Unsure what the jugs contained, Frantz advised the fire department to exit the house.

He then contacted Detective John Koch, who sent Detective Matt Spencer to the scene. The officers searched the area of the house that contained the bottles. Frantz said in his report the upstairs was heavily damaged and nearly impassable. Spencer said he did not see any sign of a methamphetamine lab.

In his report Frantz said the fire department advised it appeared the fire did start in the rear of the upstairs. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-31o1, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com