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Coroner confirms identities of three men killed in arson

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By Marisa Head Updated 5:46 PM Saturday, November 7, 2009

Warren County Coroner Dr. Russell Uptegrove tentatively confirmed today, Nov. 6 the identities of three men killed in a Lebanon house fire in October.

Uptegrove said that while not all DNA evidence has been finalized, based on other medical records and testimony from relatives, he believes the three deceased men to be Alvin Hagar, 50, Thomas Burlile, 58, and Westley Laveque, 45.

Autopsy results showed all three men, who were so badly burned that the coroner had to resort to DNA testing to identify them, were alive when the fire started and died from smoke inhalation, Uptegrove said.

The coroner’s announcement matches beliefs widely held in the community since the fire regarding the men’s identity. Several of the men’s relatives had said they had given DNA samples to the coroner to verify the men’s identities. A cross bearing the three men’s names was among the memorials left in front of the charred building.

Firefighters were called at 2:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 to 213-215 Walnut Street, where the century old, two-story multi-level house was already in flames. The home was destroyed by the fire, which has been ruled an arson by the State Fire Marshal.

The home was owned by Jerry Crisp, a former Lebanon fire chief from 1975 to 1982. Crisp has been unable to be reached for comment since the fire happened.

Hagar and Leveque lived at the burned building, according to friends and relatives, while Burlile had been visiting them and staying there for an unknown period of time. Burlile, a Huber Heights native and who graduate from Wayne High School, served in the Vietnam War as a Marine, according to his brother Bill.

Relatives said that Hagar and Leveque worked for Crisp, but this has not been confirmed.

The State Fire Marshall is continuing to investigate the arson. Investigators are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the fire. Residents can call (800) 589-2728.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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