Neighbors want repeat fires at same vacant Dayton house to stop

DAYTON — Neighbors say they are frustrated after the same vacant house caught fire for the third time in four months.

>> RELATED: Vacant house burns for 3rd time in Dayton

The house at 130 Sherman Ave. in Dayton has burned at least three times since October. It is charred, exposed all over but is still standing.

News Center 7 has reported on fires in late October, early December and most recently this past weekend at the same house, as well as similar fires at abandoned houses in the area.

Neighbors told News Center 7’s Sean Cudahy that house is not just an eyesore, that it is scary and frustrating.

“It’s kind of annoying, because the street  kind of fills up with smoke and I can’t even take out my dog,” neighbor Frederick Yates said.

>> RELATED: Vacant Sherman Street duplex catches fire a second time; Arson investigators on scene

It’s become routine for him.

“Just heard the fire trucks, sirens, woke me up out of my sleep, he said. “Hear everyone yelling outside usually or the fire trucks.”

The latest commotion happened early Sunday morning when the vacant house across the street from his went up in flames.

“It’s the house that’s been caught on fire three times already. It’s back on fire again,” a 911 caller said.

Neighbor Karly Gillis said she called 911 the last time it happened, and that it’s getting old.

“Smoke has gotten in our house through the doors and window seams,” she said.

>> RELATED: DFD: Vacant house fire in Dayton 'suspicious'

“It’s inconvenient to us … last time the fire got so big … it really could have burned any of these houses like any that are around here,” Gillis said.

City leaders have an ongoing effort to get rid of vacant houses and eyesores, with millions of dollars spent to tear down hundreds of homes in Dayton in recent years.

But the reality is, there’s plenty still standing.

On Sherman Avenue, Gillis said she hopes anyone setting these fires intentionally stops, but she doubts that will happen.

“You can tell people not to do it all you want but it’s just up to them whether they’re going to listen or not,” she said.

>> RELATED: Vacant house fire spreads, damages neighboring homes in Dayton

With the repeat fires at the house, the job has gotten harder for firefighters.

In December, crews mentioned that because of the October fire, it was harder to fight the flames because of the debris they had to get through.

The fire remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP (7867).