Boy in cage rescued from house fire

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Police and Fire departments are investigating what they call an arson early Monday in which an 11-year-old boy was rescued from a dog cage in a first-floor bedroom.

An unidentified person freed the boy from a locked dog cage while helping to rescue the boy and his family from the fire on Forest View Drive on the East Side.

A Youngstown police report does not state who the rescuer was, but the rescuer told Youngstown Fire Investigator Charles Hodge that he rescued the boy from a "dog cage with three locks," according to a police report.

The report states that the boy's father was identified, but the report blacked out the name of the father and did not indicate whether the father was interviewed or charged.

But Youngstown city spokesman Andy Resnick stated in an email: "We can confirm that both YPD and YFD are actively investigating the incident on Forest View Drive, and that the child is safe and in the care of (Mahoning County Children Services)."

"Due to the ongoing investigation and the involvement of a minor, we will not have further comment at this time," he stated.

A call to the Youngstown Fire Department administrative offices was not answered. A recorded message stated that no messages could be left at that number.

The report states that first responders were alerted to the fire at 12:25 a.m. Monday.

After the fire, Hodge interviewed a person "who assisted in the rescue of the family at (blacked out) Forest View Drive," the police report states.

"During the interview, (blacked out) advised investigator Hodge he rescued 11-year-old (name blacked out) from a first-floor bedroom."

When fire crews first arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the home. Three people were able to get out safely, but a fourth person was rescued and treated for minor injuries, authorities said.