Monday, April 25th, 2016
Woman dies in home fire
Minster
By Jared Mauch
MINSTER - The fourth fatal fire in Auglaize County this year claimed the life of 78-year-old Janet Luthman early Saturday morning.
Luthman was pronounced dead at the scene of a fire at her 248 North Garfield Street home by Auglaize County Assistant Coroner Steve Stienecker, Minster-Jackson Township Fire Chief Dale Dues said.
Minster Fire Department crews arrived on scene at 1:37 a.m. Saturday and were on scene until about 9:30 a.m, he said.
Luthman was found in what appeared to be a sewing room of the residence, Dues said. No one else was at the residence at the time of the fire, he added. The incident remains under investigation.
Most of the damage reportedly occurred at the north end of the house in the basement, garage and the sewing room. Dues believes the blaze may have started in the basement. The rest of the house sustained heavy smoke and water damage, he said.
The incident appears to be accidental but authorities have not pinpointed a starting location or cause, he said. The house is considered a total loss.
No rescue workers were injured in battling the flames, and firefighters from the New Bremen Fire Department assisted on the call, he said.
Five people in Auglaize County have died in fires so far this year.
An obituary appears in today's Daily Standard.
