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See Jane Style:
Blaze in Kilby's garage investigated
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Aug 24, 2009
Akron Councilman Bruce Kilby and his wife Cindy narrowly escaped a fire at their Goodyear Heights home early Sunday morning.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities do not believe it was arson.
Over the last week, city firefighters have battled a rash of fires in vacant homes in the city's North Hill neighborhood. A 16-year-old has been charged in those fires.
The fire Sunday started after 1 a.m. in the Kilbys' attached garage on Olalla Avenue. The blaze was confined to the garage, but smoke damage extended throughout the house.
''I was covered with soot and the heat and smoke was so intense, I barely could grab my trousers when I went back in to get them,'' said Kilby, who represents Ward 2. ''The house is trashed.''
A 1995 Nissan Maxima and an Akron school transportation van (2005 Chevrolet Astro) were destroyed.
Cindy Kilby said she heard noises so she grabbed a club and went downstairs. She yelled up to her husband, walked into the kitchen and saw flames shoot through the bottom of the door to the garage.
She ran back upstairs and told him about the fire and they ran out the front door.
The smoke alarms blared as they ran outside to safety.
Bruce Kilby grabbed the garden hose to try to douse the back of the garage. His wife ran across the street to get help.
''It was like a scary movie,'' neighbor Aaron Price said. ''I woke up to noises. I heard screaming and I heard pounding on the door. I ran to the door and [Cindy Kilby] kept saying, 'Call 911.'
''I saw the fire and told my wife to call 911. I grabbed our garden hose and tried to help put the fire out in the front of the house.''
His wife, Nicole, said her husband was hosing down the house when he accidentally ripped the hose from the side of the house.
He then ran next door to use the hose there.
Neighbor Rick Bailey had fallen asleep on his couch watching television when Aaron Price asked for help. Bailey grabbed a hose attached to his deck and squirted the water from there.
''Firefighters said if we hadn't doused the flames, the whole house would have burned down,'' Bruce Kilby said.
Firefighters responded again Sunday afternoon to reports of light smoke.
The Summit County American Red Cross assisted in placing the Kilbys in a hotel for a few days.
The value of the house was estimated at $125,000. Authorities estimated the damage to the property and contents at $135,000.
The garage door was in a pile of rubble next to the house Sunday afternoon.
''I'm still in shock,'' Bruce Kilby said. ''I haven't had much sleep. I feel like I am running on adrenaline.''
He said he questions the cause of the fire, which occurred while he is running for re-election.
''I don't know if this was arson or an accident, but if someone is trying to kill me, I'd like to know,'' he said.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron Councilman Bruce Kilby and his wife Cindy narrowly escaped a fire at their Goodyear Heights home early Sunday morning.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 06:59 AM, 08/24/2009
God was watching over the Kilby's. There have been some threats to Kilby over the past few weeks, the police will have to see if any are connected to this event.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:12 AM, 08/24/2009
Bruce and Cindy,
You're in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know if there's ANYTHING that I can do.
Liz Raines
Akron, OH
Posted 07:52 AM, 08/24/2009
Duckster,
I think you completely misunderstood my point.
Liz Raines
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:30 AM, 08/24/2009
I don't like Bruce Kilby's politics, but I am glad to hear that he and his family got out of the home OK.
Posted 08:37 AM, 08/24/2009
Bruce and Cindy,
I am glad you guys are ok. Lets pray that this was not done intentionally.
Jan Davis
akron, oh
Posted 10:14 AM, 08/24/2009
i'm with you joad. he's a skunk who won't get my vote, but whether this was arson or not, i am glad they are safe.
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:17 AM, 08/24/2009
Any info on the whereabouts of reyman and tarle when this occurred?
uniontown, oh
Posted 10:30 AM, 08/24/2009
Good job done by all. The neighbors were wonderful. So glad to see the Akron had enough Firefighters on duty to save the house.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:15 AM, 08/24/2009
Were they put on hold when they called 911? I wasn't when I called to report a burning vehicle. Hmmm.....
Akron, OH
Posted 12:58 PM, 08/24/2009
The arson investigators better check the mayor's alibi.
A hood near you, OH
Posted 01:03 PM, 08/24/2009
I am so happy that the Kilby's are OK. He has done a GREAT JOB for his ward. While as of now the cause is undetermined, I can't help to think that the fire is very suspicious. I'll reserve further comment until the investigation is completed.
Independence, OH
Posted 01:26 PM, 08/24/2009
1) why is Cindy Kilby the one grabbing a club and checking the strange sound downstairs?
2) Why was there a school vehicle parked inside of his garage?
3) Glad his neighbors were so happy to and able to help keep the flames down. Also a good warning to everyone to check their wiring for shorts, make sure there aren't flammables next to outlets, and to check your fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:19 PM, 08/24/2009
@AkronLaw
You asked "why is Cindy Kilby the one grabbing a club and checking the strange sound downstairs?"
I ask, why not? Maybe she felt comfortable checking it out herself. Sometimes a person just reacts. I've been known to grab the bat and explore a strange sound or an unexpected open door. My husband prefers that I don’t, but something just kicks in and I'm ready to protect my family & home. With two large and very protective dogs and a strong husband to back me up, I’m not afraid to get there first. Though I have to admit he moves faster than me and usually gets there first.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:11 PM, 08/24/2009
=====================
@AkronLaw who posted:
2) Why was there a school vehicle parked inside of his garage?
=====================
I think the ABJ story was poorly worded.
One sentence says:
"A 1995 Nissan Maxima and an Akron school transportation van (2005 Chevrolet Astro) were destroyed."
I believe writer Marilyn Miller is referring to a vehicle used to transport students who attend Akron schools, not one that is owned by Akron schools.
akron, oh
Posted 04:24 PM, 08/24/2009
it is going to be a very interesting november election in akron. me thinks the mayor and his croonies are very worried, as they should be. i hope the residents of this fair city have woken up the the stench at city hall.
A hood near you, OH
Posted 05:07 PM, 08/24/2009
Akron Law is just trying to somehow discredit the family that was victmized. Who knows why ??
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 05:20 PM, 08/24/2009
Jeez retired cop....
Are you that filled with hate?
akron, oh
Posted 06:22 PM, 08/24/2009
Akron Law
All vehicles that were destroyed or on the Kilby property are privately owned.
To some of the nasty posters, remember, if you can't say something nice.....
Tepplin, DC
Posted 08:40 PM, 08/24/2009
Rooster,
He's probably not even a cop. Just a poster who thinks that by claiming to be one, he'll gain credibility. There's nothing stopping anyone else from doing the same.
North Hill, OH
Posted 10:48 PM, 08/24/2009
Yep, duckster, the citizens are so riled up over the filth in city hall that they defeated a recall 3:1. FED UP, I tells ya!
Independence, OH
Posted 12:37 AM, 08/25/2009
Chill out TheTruthHurts, I was not implying anything negative that you are inferring. Just curious if his wife worked for the schools, if he worked for the schools, if it was a private vehicle with a "school transportation" sign on it, etc. I was not implying any impropriety, just curious.
The comment about Cindy Kilby checking out the sound downstairs was kind of a dig. Personally, I'd never let my wife be the first person down the stairs. Me, and my buddies Smith & Wesson investigate all noises thoroughly. But who knows, maybe Cindy knows how to handle herself. I remember my old neighbor, she was a career Marine. She's 60 now and could probably still kick my arse. lol.
Calm down, everyone is safe. Go check your smoke detector and fire extinguishers and kiss your kids good night.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:15 AM, 08/25/2009
Maybe Retired Cop isn't so far off. Isn't Kilby the sole dissenting voice who suggested that quickly changing the city charter after the recall to appease the Mayor wasn't the best idea? As I understand it, he wasn't against changing it to make a recall harder to start, he just didn't want to make it impossible. I believe that in the council meeting he made reference to that part of the city charter being written in a time when incumbents would dominate an office and never leave (and then glared at the Mayor).
Obviously, I don't think the Mayor did it. But he certainly has motive. So let's look into who he might have paid to do it.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:17 AM, 08/25/2009
EDIT: I believe he made reference to that part of the charter being written in a time when there was A FEAR OF incumbents dominating an office and never leaving.
All-America, Oh
Posted 07:07 AM, 08/25/2009
Mr. Kilby, I am glad that your family is ok. I really hope that this was not foul play. I pray that all things work out for you, you are a great guy.
akron, oh
Posted 10:47 AM, 08/25/2009
Although Kilby can behave strangely at times, I am also happy, no one was hurt.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:30 PM, 08/25/2009
I AM a retired Akron police Detective sergeant and former FOP president. I said this in jest, knowing that the mayor truly hates Bruce Kilby, and anyone who has ever made a public stand against him. I have first-hand experience!
