A Hubbard Township man is in the county jail after police say he ignited a pile of household goods that caused a fire so large, neighbors thought it was a structure fire.

That’s what members of the Eagle Joint Fire District thought they were responding to last week when they were called to the 6500 block of Chestnut Ridge Road.

It wasn’t a house that firefighters found burning, but a bonfire in the backyard.

Investigators say the burning pile included mattresses, space heaters, aerosol cans, pots, pans, a screen door, speakers, lamps, a microwave, a window air conditioner, and other electronic items, some of which are toxic and under the law are banned from being burned, according to the police report.

 

 Police say the homeowner, 58-year-old William Siverling refused to come out of the home, so they went to Girard Municipal Court and charged him with violating Ohio’s open burning law.

Siverling is also charged with telecommunications harassment, disorderly conduct, and impersonation of a police officer for a June 9 incident.

As of Tuesday, Siverling remained held in the county jail on a $7,500 bond awaiting a Thursday court hearing.