Chief identifies victim of fatal apartment fire
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Nov. 30, 2022) – The New Philadelphia Fire Department has identified the victim in Tuesday morning’s fatal fire at an apartment building on Allen Lane SW as 66-year-old Leanne Asuncion.
Chief Jim Parrish says Asuncion was unaccounted for when firefighters arrived at 3:15 am to find flames coming from the front left corner of the two-story, four-unit complex and smoke emanating from the back on both floors. He says they tried to get in through the front door to suppress the fire and reach her but had to reposition the line of attack after the floor in front of it collapsed.
Firefighters ultimately made entry through the back door and located Asuncion’s body on the first floor.
Parrish didn’t indicate what might have caused the fire, which remains under investigation. The New Philadelphia Police Department, Ohio BCI and the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s office are involved, which suggests foul play, although we’re still waiting for confirmation.
Units from Dover, Uhrichsville, Strasburg, Bolivar, York Township, and Smith Ambulance assisted with the response.