Clermont County man indicted for allegedly burning down house he recently purchased
Harold Blake, 45, of Clermont County was indicted recently for his alleged role in a residential fire believed have been intentionally set on April 20, 2024.
The residence was located in the 3300 block of state Route 774 in Franklin Township, Clermont County.
A Clermont County grand jury returned an indictment for Blake on the following charges: one count of aggravated arson, a felony of the first degree; one count of arson, a felony of the fourth degree; one count of insurance fraud, a felony of the third degree; and one count of telecommunications fraud, a felony of the second degree.
On April 20 at 1:15 p.m., the Clermont County Communications Center received a 911 call from Tabitha Blake, reporting their house was on fire. Both the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office and Felicity-Franklin Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, arriving at 1:25 p.m.
The first units arrived to observe the structure fully engulfed, and it was later deemed a total loss. Once extinguished, the Clermont County Fire Investigation Team (CCFIT) was contacted to determine the cause.
On April 23, CCFIT believed the incident seemed suspicious and contacted the Clermont County Sheriff’s Investigative Unit for assistance. Detectives and the CCFIT and Fire and Explosion Consultants LLC (FEC) investigators responded to the scene to collect evidence.
An unnatural burn pattern was allegedly noted, and allegedly suspicious fire debris was collected, which was subsequently tested at a forensic lab, confirming the alleged use of ignitible liquids. The CCFIT fire reports classified the fire as “incendiary and a human act.”
During the investigation, detectives learned that Harold Blake and his wife had purchased the home in March 2024 from a neighbor. Shortly after, Blake discovered black mold throughout the entire house, which required a complete interior demolition. On April 20, around 11:45 a.m., witnesses allegedly observed Blake removing construction debris and all his power tools from inside the home. While eating lunch, Tabitha Blake noticed the fire and called 911 to report it. By 3:08 p.m., Harold Blake allegedly called his insurance company to claim the loss.
Detectives canvassed the area and interviewed witnesses. Neighbors provided photographs of the fire, which depicted two separate and non-communicating fires at both ends of the home. No flames were seen in the bedroom, where Harold Blake had allegedly told fire personnel the fire had started.
Witnesses also told detectives that Blake had commented days before the incident that the house was full of black mold and that he would have to tear down the house and bulldoze it.
Throughout the investigation, detectives executed multiple search warrants at the scene and collected additional evidence, including cell phones from Mr. and Mrs. Blake. The cell phones were allegedly found to contain thousands of videos and photographs from their home surveillance, but nothing dated April 20. Upon examination, Harold Blake allegedly had numerous suspicious text messages that were deleted from his cell phone.
On June 20, 2024, Harold Blake voluntarily withdrew his insurance claim.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office has worked with the Clermont County Fire Investigation Team (CCFIT) and Fire and Explosion Consultants LLC (FEC) investigators throughout this investigation.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.