Chris Anderson, 56, died in a Jan. 13 fire in Streetsboro that left the house condemned. It was uninsured. Photo by the Streetsboro Fire Department
Streetsboro identifies victim of Jan. 13 fire, plans home demolition
- Wendy DiAlesandro ,
On Jan. 13, a fire destroyed the house at 1006 Gaynelle Ave. in Streetsboro, burning so furiously that firefighters were pushed back when they attempted to search inside it for victims.
Chris Anderson, 56, died in the fire, and his home partially collapsed.
City leaders have condemned the structure and now are applying to the Portage County Land Reutilization Corporation, aka Land Bank, to have it demolished. The Land Bank will first need to ensure state funds are available, and no timeline has been established.
Streetsboro Economic Development Director Patrick O’Malia says the competitive state grant is not a done deal: the Land Bank must both obtain the funds and approve the Gaynelle Avenue project.
If everything comes through, property owner Lavern Bennett will retain ownership of the land. Streetsboro Fire Captain Kevin Grimm said there was no insurance on the home, which Bennett’s family built in 1977.
Wendy DiAlesandro
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.