Fire burns abandoned house on S. Lincoln

Rex Santus

A fire destroyed a vacant house at 128 S. Lincoln St. Saturday, where one firefighter was injured after he fell through a collapsed floor.

The house’s remains were demolished Sunday due to “safety concerns.”

Chief Dave Manthey, of the Kent Fire Department, said officials do not know what started the fire, which a university advisory characterized as “suspicious in nature.”

“We’re still cleaning up. That’s under investigation at this point in time,” he said. “It’s too soon to tell.”

Kent State owns the property, which sits next to the under-construction University Esplanade extension.

Kent, Ravenna, Stow, Rootstown and Mantua fire departments responded to the report, said Lt. Bill Myers of the Kent Fire Department.

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the house was fully involved in a “working structure” fire, one that affects the structural components of the house.

The injured firefighter was treated and released from the Akron City Hospital, Myers said.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Kent State University Police Services at 330-672-3070.

Contact Rex Santus at [email protected].