Boy, 11, Who Was Rescued From Cage During House Fire Had Locked Himself In, Father Insists

An 11-year-old Ohio boy was recovered locked wrong a dog cage aft a location fire early Monday, prompting an investigation by constabulary and kid use officials.

Emergency crews responded to nan blaze astatine a Youngstown location connected Forest View Drive astir 12:30 a.m., wherever 3 group who had escaped nan occurrence were waiting outside. Firefighters past discovered and rescued nan 11-year-old from wrong a canine cage. A witnesser told Fox 8 News nan cage appeared to person 3 locks connected it.

The boy survived nan occurrence and is receiving attraction done Mahoning County Children Services, according to nan outlet.

As investigators activity to find what happened, nan child's father, identified only arsenic Frank, says nan business has been misunderstood and is pleading for nan chance to explain.

“If they inquire maine anything, I’ll show them anything. I don’t attraction what they want to know,” Frank told WKBN Tuesday.

Frank said nan cage was intended for a dog, but claimed his 11-year-old boy sometimes climbed wrong it to play. He said that is what happened Monday erstwhile nan occurrence collapsed retired wrong nan home.

“He went into nan cage. He locked himself successful there, and now I’m panicking. I person nan problem here. I locomotion outside. I spot fume successful nan hallway. I move nan curtain immediately. Black fume successful my face. I can’t breathe,” he recalled.

Frank said he initially tried to free his boy utilizing only his bare hands because location was thing successful nan room to unlock nan cage. He said he injured himself while attempting to unit it unfastened earlier a neighbour rushed complete pinch a knife, allowing him to trim done nan cage and free nan boy.

“And I bust nan cage wholly open. I prime my boy up, and I say, ‘I’m truthful sorry, but you person to spell now,'” Frank said.

Frank said he was nan past personification to flight nan burning location because of ongoing wellness issues that slowed him down.

He besides said some of his children person since been placed successful nan custody of Children Services while nan agency, arsenic good arsenic Youngstown constabulary and occurrence departments, analyse nan circumstances surrounding nan occurrence and nan child's confinement successful nan cage.

Frank has a shelter attraction proceeding Wednesday astatine 3 p.m. wherever he could study much astir nan adjacent steps successful nan case.

“I don’t want to suffer my children. You understand me? My children are my life,” he told WKBN.

Children Services told nan news position successful a statement: “We return each study earnestly and are committed to protecting nan needs and authorities of nan children and families involved.”

The Independent has contacted Youngstown constabulary and occurrence departments, arsenic good arsenic Mahoning County Children Services, for comment.