TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) – She is being hailed a hero after getting her handicapped boyfriend out of a burning house, which investigators said was intentionally set.
It happened around 2 a.m. Thursday at the Bel-Aire Mobile Home Park on Nebraska Avenue in south Toledo.
Being in a wheelchair is tough enough. Now Francisco Ochoa Sr. is without a home after it caught fire in the middle of the night.
"I was just glad that Sue stayed at my house last night. She was able to get me up out of that fire," said Ochoa.
Sue Beegle is Ochoa's girlfriend. She said a loud noise woke her up, and that is when she saw flames in the house, and sprang into action.
"I knew it was dangerous. I had to hurry up and get him outta there, and I just thank God for giving me all the strength he did," said Beegle.
Beegle was treated for an asthma attack she suffered during the fire.
"When we started coming out the trailer, that's when my back window blew open on my bed, and I seen the flames started shooting through. I could feel the heat on my back," said Ochoa.
Firefighters have called this fire a case of arson.
Firefighters said the fire started with a mattress, but all that is left are the springs. The mattress was leaning against the back of the home and investigators think someone came and set it on fire.
Whoever did it is still on the run.
"That was bologna if you ask me. I just hope God they put him in jail cause that's where he deserves," said Beegle.
Investigators said the home is a total loss, but Ochoa said more could have been lost had his girlfriend not been there.
"I probably would of died in there," said Ochoa.
Anyone with information that could help catch whoever is responsible is urged to call CrimeStopper at 419-255-1111.
