Chillicothe, Ohio — Authorities are investigating a potential arson following a fire that damaged property in an alleyway near 59 E. Fifth Street early Sunday morning.
At approximately 5:16 a.m. on July 28, 2024, Chillicothe police were dispatched to the scene after a passerby reported the blaze. Robert Moore, who was walking in the alley between E. Fifth Street and E. Fourth Street, noticed the fire on a wooden fence and promptly contacted a nearby resident to call 911, as he did not have a phone.
Moore also reported seeing two individuals on bicycles in the vicinity, though their connection to the fire remains uncertain.
The Chillicothe Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire, which had severely damaged a wooden panel fence, a City of Chillicothe recycling bin, and a trashcan positioned outside the fence.
Joshua Strausbaugh, the property owner of 59 W. Fifth Street, was contacted for information. Strausbaugh expressed surprise at the incident and was unaware of any suspects. He noted that there have been several previous instances of criminal mischief in the alley. He also mentioned that the last time he used the trash cans was Friday and confirmed that he does not have surveillance cameras that might have captured the incident.
Police have taken photographs of the damage and informed Strausbaugh that both the Chillicothe Police Department and the Fire Department will be filing reports on the incident.
As of now, there are no leads or additional information available. The investigation into the possible arson is ongoing.
