Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Family stunned after arsonist burns home to ground; Police still searching for suspect
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A family is devastated after investigators say someone intentionally set their house on fire in the middle of the night.
“Who would do that to someone? Try to kill my whole family in our sleep with our 7-month-old baby? In a fire? It’s sickening,” said Felipe Freitas.
Freitas and Cecelia Li tell 19 News they’re still traumatized but grateful to be alive after their home went up in flames.
“I woke up by an act of God, saw flames outside our bedroom window and screamed, ‘Felipe, the house is on fire!’ He ran downstairs, tried to put it out. It went so fast, I picked up our baby, tried to go downstairs and the wall of smoke was so thick, it was like walking into a black cloud. I was choking, I couldn’t go downstairs,” said Li.
Li says she jumped from a second-floor window where Freitas caught her and their 7-month-old baby boy.
Sadly, they share that their pets, a dog and a cat named Salami and Evelyn, didn’t make it out of the home.
“They were the sweetest animals, they were the best friends, an absolute blessing and our son absolutely loved them,” said Li.
Cleveland Fire tells 19 News that when crews arrived to the home on w. 106th and Clifton Just after 2 a.m. Saturday, the fire had spread to two other houses in the neighborhood and two vehicles.
They estimate more than $700K in damages and for the house to be demolished.
“99 percent of everything in that house is irreplaceable, like one of a kind. The art, things we’ve kept for decades, that have been passed on for generations,” said Li. “Literally that night I was like, I got you [Felipe], I’ve got our son, that is all I have,” she said.
Investigators believe the cause of the fire is arson and the couple tells 19 News, they are stunned.
They’re hoping police get answers about the suspect and their case soon.
In the meantime, loved ones have wrapped their arms around the family with financial and emotional support.
“People can be really good and it’s like one person did something really evil to us but hundreds of people have done more and are doing so much good,” said Li.
Cleveland Police Department is investigating.
A $2,500 reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest.
Tips can be left by calling 216-664-6380.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A massive water main break and a possible sinkhole was reported in Cleveland Monday afternoon.
A 19 News crew is on scene at the intersection of E 130th Street and Buckeye Road for the possible reported sinkhole and a water main break.
According to the Cleveland Division of Water, the break on Buckeye Road is a 10-inch water main and a repair crew is on the way.
The water has been shut off, but the area remains closed due to the debris and for cleanup.
19 News has made call outs to officials for more information.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The body of a missing boy in Lake Erie was found Sunday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.
Multiple agencies searched Lake Erie Saturday night and continued searching Sunday morning for a young boy who was reported in the water near the East 55th Street Marina.
The search for the boy had turned into a recovery mission before Metroparks divers discovered the body, Cleveland Fire Chief Mike Norman said.
Cleveland Fire, Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources responded to the call, which came in just before 9 p.m. Saturday.
Search efforts
Cleveland Fire said crews responded to a report of a child in the water. A fire boat made multiple passes over the area, shining a light into the water. Two divers were also sent into the lake to search for the child. No body was found.
A helicopter was also spotted flying over the water near the bank, searching with a spotlight.
The Cleveland Fire Department said at 10:15 p.m. Saturday that its crew in the lake would be ending their search soon.
Cleveland fire crews said Sunday that they resumed the search for the missing boy before turning operations over to a recovery mission.
Chief Norman said Metroparks divers are transporting the body and receiving assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
ADA I. TAYLOR
OBITUARY
(nee Everhardt), of Middleburg Heights, formerly of Avon Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Royal Oak Hospice after a short illness. Ada was born December 30, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA. Beloved wife of the late Terry R. Taylor (2012); loving mother of Elliot E. Taylor; loving ‘pet mom’ of Molly and Kitty; daughter of the late Pendleton B. and Inez (nee Chestnut) Everhardt; sister of the late Joyce Everhardt. Ada was a well-known and respected Real Estate Agent/Broker for 51 years in the Greater Cleveland area. 39 of those years were spent at Howard Hanna. She graduated from West Tech High School and then earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from BGSU before going full time in Real Estate. Ada was an Honors English, History and Journalism teacher at Lorain High School from 1971 ‘ 1975. Also, for a short time in the 80’s she was a lobbyist in Washington, DC for independent business owners. Ada is survived by her son Elliott E. Taylor and cousins David Dieball (Marilyn), Allan Dieball Benjamin Dieball and Donna Bednar (Michael). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City Dogs Cleveland, 9203 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102. A private Graveside Service will be held at St. Joseph/Elmhurst Cemetery in Avon. Arrangements made by Ripepi Funeral Home (440)888-0800
-
South Dakota2 minutes ago
SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 13, 2026
-
Tennessee8 minutes ago
TN Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 13, 2026
-
Texas13 minutes agoWhat comes after North Texas’ final World Cup match?
-
Utah20 minutes agoWhy Trump’s push to shrink two national monuments is sparking a new fight
-
Vermont26 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Gimme 5 results for July 13, 2026
-
Virginia32 minutes agoPete Eshelman appointed to Virginia Tourism Authority by Gov. Spanberger
-
Washington38 minutes agoUS Air Force helicopter makes precautionary landing in Washington
-
Wisconsin44 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 13, 2026
