A devastating house fire in Ohio has turned into a heartbreaking story of heroism — and a shocking arrest.
Horace Oates Jr., a Marine veteran, died early Tuesday morning after rushing back into his burning home to save his family.
The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. at a house on Evansdale Avenue in Toledo, where nine people were inside at the time. As flames quickly spread, Oates reportedly sprang into action, helping get multiple family members — including a 3-month-old baby — out to safety.
“He grabbed her, the baby, and his second oldest and pushed them down the stairs,” his stepdaughter, Breonna Blackwell, said.
Thanks to his quick actions — and help from another relative — the rest of the family survived.
But Oates didn’t make it out.
“I feel like he died doing what he learned,” Blackwell said, pointing to his military background and instinct to protect others at all costs.
Tragically, several family pets, including birds, cats, and dogs, were also lost in the fire.
Officials with the Toledo Fire & Rescue confirmed that eight people were taken to the hospital, while one person — Oates — died from the incident. The conditions of those injured are still being evaluated.
As the community mourned, the case took a shocking turn.
Authorities arrested 44-year-old Cory Allen the following morning and charged him with murder. Investigators believe he may have intentionally started the fire.
Even more disturbing, Blackwell said the suspect was known to the family.
“He was around here after the house caught fire… I didn’t know he started it,” she said.
Neighbors reported seeing him walking near the home shortly after the blaze, unaware of what had just happened.
The investigation is still ongoing as officials work to determine exactly how the fire started and what led up to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, loved ones are left grieving a man they say gave everything to protect his family in their darkest moment.
A fundraiser has been launched to help the family rebuild after the devastating loss.
