Friday, May 19, 2000
Batavia fire blamed on smoking, sleeping
Blaze began in a chair; victim burned
By Tom O'Neill
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BATAVIA — A man severely burned in a fire at his Batavia apartment complex likely started the fire inadvertently when he fell asleep while smoking, the Clermont County sheriff said Thursday.
Monty Parrett, 27, of the College Hill apartment complex on University Lane near Clermont College, was upgraded to serious condition Thursday at University Hospital, where he is being treated for third-degree burns.
He initially was listed in critical condition.
The Wednesday morning fire damaged several apartments.
It appeared to have started in a chair in Mr. Parrett's third-floor apartment, Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said.
No damage estimate was available, and the findings of the sheriff's department fire investigators were prelimi nary.
The Ohio state fire marshal also is investigating.
“That's what it looks like, that it started in a chair where the victim was,” Sheriff Rodenberg said. “Very probably, we're not 100 percent certain, but relatively certain that's what happened.
“There doesn't appear to be any foul play, or an accel erant.”
Mr. Parrett was hanging out his window when he was rescued by firefighters and sheriff's department deputies.
The fire was reported at 4:32 a.m., but because investigators have not yet interviewed Mr. Parrett, it is unknown how long the fire may have smoldered.
A third-floor neighbor, 50- year-old Maryell Ziebold, suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at Clermont Mercy Hospital.
Fire officials said the building's fire walls prevented the fire from spreading throughout the 48-unit structure.
One other unit sustained smoke damage and another was damaged by water.
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