December 13, 2022

A group of neighbors who live on and near Woods Edge Road are being recognized by the City of Perrysburg for their actions and generosity after a house caught on fire earlier this year. 

On the evening of January 10, 2022, Jennifer McCary arrived home from work to see the back of her house on fire. Minutes before she came home, her neighbors jumped into action to help fight the flames before firefighters arrived.  

“Although the grill was not on, it started an electrical fire that rapidly grew, burning the exterior back wall of our home,” said McCary. “Our neighbors sprang into action to help me until first responders and my husband could arrive.” 

With the temperature around eight degrees at the time, everyone’s garden hoses were frozen. McCary’s next door neighbor, Dale Thorn, brought over three fire extinguishers and was able to put out the flames before it hit the roofline. Another neighbor behind her, Angela Worthington, jumped her fence to help Thorn put out the flames. 

“I believe our house would have been more severely damaged had it not been for Dale and Angela.” 

Other neighbors saw what was happening and ran over with cups of water and more fire extinguishers. 

“It was a great show of community,” said McCary.  

When her husband Jerome arrived home with their two young children, two other neighbors, Kim Thorn and Gina Brundage, met him at his car and took their daughters inside quickly to shield them from seeing the flames.   

While firefighters were working on extinguishing the fire, Bob Ashenfelter and Cecilia Castellano arrived and offered to let the McCary family stay with them in their home. Brundage had also gathered a tub of clean clothes from her own home for their daughters so they would have things that didn’t smell like smoke. 

“This was an incredible act of kindness."  

The family stayed with Ashenfelter and Castellano for two nights. After that, they were able to stay at Home2 Suites for three weeks while their house was cleaned and repaired.  

During that time, several other families who live on Woods Edge Road surprised the McCary’s with gift cards so they would not have to worry about dinner.  

“This act of kindness was an unexpected and comforting surprise.” 

The McCary family’s home was completely repaired in August. 

“I do not know what we would have done without the support of our community,” McCary said. 

Mayor Tom Mackin sent a formal thank you letter to the people who McCary mentioned, along with a challenge coin which represents camaraderie and honors the actions of those who receive one.  

The letters read in part: “This deserved recognition is an inspiration for each citizen of Perrysburg. I thank you for what you did and hope that your good work will inspire and remind others to care for each other and their neighbors.” 

The neighbors also received a Certificate of Commendation from the Perrysburg Fire Division.