Family displaced after Arrow Road fire

The Carrollton Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 58 Arrow Road at approximately 5:33 p.m. Jan. 19. The log home was deemed a total loss.

According to Carrollton Fire Chief Shane Thomas, the fire was caused by hot embers from a wood stove that were placed on the front porch, igniting the porch and then spreading into the house.

When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed, requiring a defensive-only attack.

“It was totally engulfed when we got there,” Thomas said. “It was defensive fire only for us which means an outside attack only. We were not going in or anything.”

Two people were home at the time of the fire, but all occupants and animals were able to escape safely, Thomas said.

Fire crews remained on scene for approximately 4 to 4½ hours. Extremely cold weather further complicated operations, with wind chills reaching minus 7 degrees. With ponds frozen, firefighters were forced to shuttle water and refill tankers at a hydrant near Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.

Multiple departments assisted at the scene, including Carrollton, Dellroy, Great Trail, Sherrodsville and Leesville fire departments.

Chief Thomas said the department later handled a rekindle at the Arrow Road property while crews were responding to another fire.

“Some of the spots you just won’t get to,” Thomas said. “Somewhere in that pile there’s a hot ember, and the wind feeds it a little bit and it takes back off.”

Thomas noted that residents displaced by the fire included three adults, three children and pets. With the family displaced, a GoFundMe page, “Coming Together for the Turkovich Family,” has been created by Alyssa Newell to help the family at www.gofundme.com/f/coming-together-for-the-turkovich-family.

“They lost everything,” said Newell. “They are both very active in coaching our youth in our community and could really use all of us coming together for them and helping however we can.”

Readers can visit the link to donate to help the family.

The family is also in need of clothing and essential items. According to the “Carroll County – Attractions, events & small businesses” Facebook page, donations requested include clothing and shoes for two teenage girls, adult small and adult medium shirts and shoe sizes 8.5 to 9; one boy, youth extra-large or adult small shirts and shoe size 6.5; the father, extra-large or 2XL shirts and shoe size 11.5; the mother, large or extra-large shirts and shoe size 8; and the father’s brother, who also lives with the family, size large shirts and pants and shoe size 10.5.

Donations may be dropped off at Newell Realty & Auctions at 550 Canton Road NW, Carrollton, or at All In Training at 259 Third St. SW, Carrollton.

In a separate incident, Carrollton firefighters were dispatched at approximately 2:26 a.m. Jan. 21 to a residence at 2070 Jasmine Road for a fire inside a wall.

Thomas said the fire was caused by kerosene heaters being used to thaw frozen pipes. That fire was contained to the wall, and crews were on scene for about 1 to 1½ hours.