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By Katherine Ullmer, Staff Writer Updated 7:05 AM Thursday, September 3, 2009

DAYTON — An early morning fire that forced three adults out of a double at 656 Milburn Avenue and caused an estimated $40,000 in damage, is being investigated as a possible arson, said East District Dayton Fire Chief David Grahl.

“It appears to have started on the front porch of the unoccupied part of the dwelling,” Grahl said, “which gives us reason to believe it might have been arson.” He said the damage from the 4 a.m. fire was fairly extensive. A one-story commercial block building about a foot to the north of the double, at 660 Milburn, had smoke damage to the exterior, but firefighters checked the roof and interior and “it was okay,” he said.

A grill was on the sidewalk in front of the double that burned but it didn’t appear to be involved with the fire, Grahl said.

The three residents of the double, a couple and their guest, were awakened by the couple’s two dogs, and got out before the fire spread further, Grahl said. “The little one woke them up,” he said. Grahl said he’s not sure whether they had any working smoke detectors, “but probably not since the dog woke them up first,” he said.

Dayton Fire Lt. John Strukamp said the fire was really involved when firefighters arrived, but they got it under control in about 20 minutes. There were no injuries to the residents or fire personnel, Strukamp said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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