Fire dept: CR 75 house fire started by lawnmower

FINDLAY— At approximately 12:53 p.m. on June 8, Arlington Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were dispatched to 14771 CR 75, located just south of Findlay, for a report of a structure fire at a residence. A report from AVFD Assistant Fire Chief Fred Smith indicates Liberty Township Fire Department, Vanlue Fire Department and the Southwestern Hancock Joint Volunteer Fire Department were also dispatched and assisted at the scene. Crews battled the flames, using approximately 55,000 gallons of water over the course of five and a half hours. Upon investigation, Smith's report states firefighters believe the blaze to have been started by a lawnmower backfiring after being filled with gasoline. The homeowner, Karl Heminger of Findlay Publishing Company, said he had been mowing the lawn before filling the lawnmower with gas to finish the job. A loud noise was heard, which investigators believe was the lawnmower backfiring. Shortly after, flames were discovered inside a garage, which then spread to the nearby residence. Heminger attempted to douse the flames with a garden hose. No injuries were reported at the scene.