Fire Destroys Two Homes in Otoxha, Toledo

A fire in Otoxha Village in Toledo destroyed two homes over the weekend. Police say that sometime after two on Saturday afternoon, the Ack family home was destroyed by a fire after a butane sales man tried to test their leaking gas tank with a lighter.  ACP Joseph Myvett explains what the investigation shows so far.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Police were alerted to a house fire in Otoxha Village in Toledo district where police arrived and spoke with one Thomas Ack who reported to the police that they had bought butane from a butane gas company and in the process of connecting the tank, the tank was apparently leaking from the valve area and the distributor or the person handling the tank decided to check the leakage by use of a lighter and that ignited causing one of the homes to burn which was a wooden home with a thatch roof and this subsequently caused another house which was nearby to also be completely burned. We are carrying out an investigation into relation to this matter pending this investigation.”

Joseph Myvett

Reporter

“Sir, you have both the person and lighter in custody?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“I know of the person.      I do not know whether or not we were able to retrieve the lighter.”

Andrea Polanco

“Sir, if that person is found culpable, what kind of charges may he face?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“First, we would have to prove that he intentionally caused that fire in order for him to be charged for arson. Obviously, from what we are seeing, it was accidental but we will still have to prepare an investigation and then submit that for the DPP to decide whether or not charges would be proffered against him.”