March 18, 2024
The scene of the fire. Submitted photo.

MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio – A fire is being investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the State of Ohio Fire Marshal.

According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood, on Thursday, March 29, 2018 Deputies responded to a Racine residence on State Route 124 after receiving a call from Martin Marietta Sand and Gravel stating that a male had shown up on their property bleeding from one of his hands and was requesting law enforcement. The security guard from Martin Marietta further stated that the subject’s residence was on fire.

Firefighters work to extinguish the fire. Submitted photo.

The Racine Volunteer Fire Department and the Syracuse Fire Department were called to the scene to extinguish the fire. Engines 27, 21, 31, 34, with Truck 24 and Truck 30 were on scene for two hours extinguishing the blaze and overhauling the structure. Dallas A. Hill III, 33, of Racine was taken to the Holzer Meigs Emergency Department by Meigs County EMS where he was treated for a severe laceration to his hand. A medium size dog also sustained injuries during the incident and the Meigs County Dog Warden was contacted and took possession of the animal. The dog will receive treatment for its injuries by a Meigs County Veterinarian. A firearm was also recovered from a field to the east of the residence.

This case is currently still under investigation; however, deputies are treating this as an arson with the subject having an altered mental status. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in this case as well. Charges are pending in this case according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.