Voss lives on Uplands Drive in Mad River Twp. and was just one victim of an apparently random crime spree in the community over the weekend.
Voss has lived in his home after he inherited it from his grandparents.
On Saturday night, he was at a friend’s house when he said he received a call from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office — his house was on fire.
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At the same time that Voss was trying to rush back to his house, firefighters from five different agencies were doing everything they could to control the blaze as high winds traveled through the region.
The fire burned for six hours, and Voss said he has never felt more helpless than watching a lifetime of memories go up in smoke.
“It was completely engulfed,” Voss said. “Completely.”
The house was deemed a total loss. Voss is dealing with the harsh reality that nearly all of his belongings are lost, too, including the beloved ‘73 Chevrolet Chevelle and the motorcycles he had in the garage.
But it wasn’t the material things that Voss was the most emotional about losing.
“I had three cats — Angel, Dude and Scotch. They’re my little buddies,” he said trying to hold back tears.
The cats have not been found.
Deputies say Christopher Perdue, 31, from Dayton is responsible for the fire that burned Voss’ house down — as well as several other crimes in the area.
Court documents say that after Perdue burglarized and set fire to Voss’ house, he broke into a home on Dayton-Springfield Road where a woman chased him out of the door.
Perdue then allegedly went to another home on the same road and cut electric lines.
He was caught the same night by deputies on Woods Drive, which is just around the corner from Voss’ house.
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Perdue was arraigned on several felonies on Tuesday morning and was still in Clark County Jail custody as of Wednesday evening.
It’s not clear why Perdue allegedly targeted the neighborhood or how he got there.
“I don’t know the guy at all,” Voss said. “I just don’t understand. I just don’t get it.”
In addition to the emotional toll the fire has taken on him — Voss also is struggling with a major financial hurdle.
He said he doesn’t have homeowner’s insurance, and he’s not sure what his next steps will be.
Right now, Voss is staying with family members nearby.
He said he’s trying to stay positive, but in the midst of tragedy — it can be difficult.
“Just try to make it each day. I don’t know,” he said.
Voss said he is currently looking for a new permanent place to live.
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