ZFD Is Making A Plea to the Community

Fires have been a constant threat in Muskingum County. On Wednesday, Zanesville Fire Department Assistant Chief Doug Hobson spent the day with us explaining what happens after a blaze.

We went to several locations of house fires and empty lots. Fire fighters risk their lives each time they enter a burning structure.

"Once that fire has grown. Once we arrive on scene and it’s blowing out the windows, it’s going through the roof. It’s frustrating to know that somebody has gone into a structure, they’ve maybe commit a crime. They’ve stolen the electrical out of it, the plumbing out of it, the furnace and then to cover up the crime by setting it on fire," said Hobson.

"As an investigator it’s very frustrating to know that that’s going on in Zanesville right know. The fire that you see behind me. It’s a suspicious fire and over the last month we’ve have 3-4 fires that’s happened at 5 o clock between that 3 p.m. through 7 p.m. window. Right out in the middle of the day," said Hobson.

Many do not realize the aftermath of those fires affect everyone not just the homeowners, but the neighbors and the community as well.

"This house was damaged by the fire. Now she’s [the homeowner] fighting with the insurance company to get her siding replaced, her gutters replaced, It hurts everybody. It hurts the people that live next to these places. You see a house behind me that looks like this now. We’ve got debris all over the yard. We’ve got kids that are out here playing. We’ve got the structure that’s falling. We’ve got nails that are in the wood. We really and truly need the public’s help," said Hobson.

Wednesday the ZFD is making a plea to the community.

"Today we’re looking for the public’s help. If you see something say something. If you see somebody walking out of a vacant house arm loads of materials, copper, electrical, call the police. Don’t be afraid to make that call. You’ve got 10,12, up to 14 fireman that’s going to be going into a structure like this. That may have been set on fire. Help us save their lives," said Hobson.

This is why it is imperative if you see something out of the ordinary or suspicious say something to keep neighbors safe.