KATIE ROUPE | DAILY KENT STATER A Rootstown firefighter waters down the side of the house to make sure the fire would not start again as a Ravenna City firefighter watches.

Credit: Adam Griffiths

A house fire at 4366 Wolforth Ave. in Ravenna Township yesterday caused extensive damage, said Steve Bosso, chief of the Ravenna Township Fire Department.

The fire started in a crawl space under the house and spread to the kitchen and bathroom – causing $50,000 to $60,000 in damage.

Bosso said a space heater, which caused the fire, was being used in the crawl space to keep water pipes from freezing.

Tijuana Worthy, 51, owner and only occupant of the house, was not home when the fire started, but visiting relatives were.

“I’m glad they were (there),” Worthy said. “Or else it would be burnt to the ground.”

The fire was under control within 15 minutes, said Pete Anders, Ravenna Township fireman and paramedic.

After it was extinguished, Worthy salvaged her belongings.

Other fire departments that responded to the fire were Kent, Mantua-Sharlersville, Charlestown, Randolph, Rootstown, Ravenna City and Edinburg.

– Steve Buschong