The loss of the Hamilton-Bondy family is still fresh in Seneca County. Investigators say smoking or electric space heaters may have started the November fire that killed Joseph Hamilton and his wife Holly, as well as six-year-old Linkin, eight-year-old Jaxon, and 11 year-old Olivia. The family did have smoke detectors inside their home, but it's not clear whether they were working at the time of the fire.
Now that community loss is turning into a life saving tool for families. First alert and 1-800-BoardUp donated more than 600 smoke detectors on Monday, to make sure each student has an alarm to take home.
"If anybody needs help installing them that we'll be more than happy to make sure they're up and that the batteries work," says Jason Porter, chief of Republic Fire.
Extra smoke detectors are headed to local seniors and firefighters have planned a fire prevention workshop for students this January. It's all in effort to make sure November's tragedy serves as a reminder to others to do what they can to prevent fires.
"Now it's a school wide effort to make sure we do everything we can do to make our own homes safe," says Brad Powers, principal at Seneca East Elementary School, where the children attended classes.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:11:57 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:11:57 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
The search continues for a missing East Toledo girl. In the midst of the search, another missing children's case in our area is getting national attention. The Toledo Blade’s Danielle Trubow has the details.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:36:03 GMT
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a women's restroom at a public park.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:13:14 GMT
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Martens is
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:07:47 GMT
The Great Gatsby recently took the box office by storm, and now you have a chance to spend an evening living the grand lifestyle, and the best part about it is that you'll be helping others! The fourth
The fourth annual "Cocktails for the Cure" is this Thursday at the Toledo Country Club. The party will feature an evening of "Gatsby Glamour."