3 min read
5 days ago
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours as investigators probe the kitchen-origin fire at a house with a dark history.
UPDATE: Fire Destroys Vacant Home Tied to 2014 Bucyrus Murder Case
The vacant home destroyed in last night’s fire at the corner of Fremont and Schaber streets is now known to be the site of a tragic murder in 2014. Billy Jack Chatman was one of four victims brutally killed in separate incidents that rocked Bucyrus over Labor Day weekend that year.
The Bucyrus Fire Department, with assistance from Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the fully engulfed fire after a 10:48 p.m. 911 call. The house, which was unoccupied at the time, is a total loss.
The fire started in the kitchen area, but investigators have yet to determine its cause. Eyewitnesses speculated about the possibility of arson, but the fire department has declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
This property’s tragic history adds another layer of complexity to an already devastating event. FreeWire will continue following this story as more details emerge.
If you have information regarding the fire, please contact the Bucyrus Fire Department.
Vacant Bucyrus Home Destroyed by Fire, Investigation Underway
A fully engulfed structure fire at the corner of Fremont and Schaber streets in Bucyrus, Ohio, drew an extensive emergency response late last night. The Bucyrus Fire Department, with assistance from Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department, battled flames that had burst through the windows of the unoccupied residence. Despite their efforts, the house has been deemed a total loss.
The call reporting the fire was made to 911 at 10:48 p.m., and Bucyrus Police officers were the first to arrive at the scene. Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, which started in the kitchen area and raged for hours. Crews weren’t able to return to service until 2 a.m.
The residence, which was abandoned and without any known occupants, remains under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated in the kitchen, though no definitive cause has been determined. Eyewitnesses at the scene voiced suspicions of arson, but the fire department declined to comment on those claims, citing the ongoing investigation.
Attempts to contact the property owner have been unsuccessful, with officials having only a name and no further contact information.
This tragic event leaves unanswered questions for the Bucyrus community. FreeWire will continue to follow updates as investigators work to determine the fire’s cause and next steps for addressing the property’s status.
Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Bucyrus Fire Department.
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