Advertisement

Ohio woman: Fire started by romantically jealous cousin

"It was cause of my cousin and I don’t want to mention no names," Heather Tenney said. "He is mad because he can't get with me. I am married to my husband."

By Ben Hooper
Heather Tenney said her "cousin" started the fire because "he can't get with" her. WKBN27/YouTube video screenshot
Heather Tenney said her "cousin" started the fire because "he can't get with" her. WKBN27/YouTube video screenshot

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

LEAVITTSBURG, Ohio, July 24 (UPI) -- An Ohio woman whose house was damaged by a fire said she believes her "cousin" set the fire intentionally because "he can't get with" her.

The Warren Township Fire Department said the Leavittsburg fire is believed to have started about 3:45 a.m. Thursday in Heather and Dennis Tenney's garage before spreading to their home and a neighboring home.

Advertisement

Trumbull County Fire Investigation Unit Chief Matt Balut said the fire is being treated as suspicious. Heather Tenney said she believes she knows who was behind the blaze.

"It was cause of my cousin and I don't want to mention no names," Heather Tenney told WKBN-TV. "He is mad because he can't get with me. I am married to my husband."

Dennis Tenney told TribToday.com a conflict with a wife's relative had escalated via text messages Wednesday evening. He did not say whether the relative was his wife's cousin, but the relative had asked to come over and Tenney said he told the relative, "No."

Dennis Tenney said he and his wife had seen an unidentified man walking back and forth in front of their house around midnight.

Advertisement

Investigators said they are seeking a person of interest in the fire.

Latest Headlines