Lincoln Street neighbors contacted the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office to report that a man was burning trash, and the fumes were making them sick.
Just before 9 p.m., a caller said the man was burning illegal items, and fumes were making elderly people in the area nauseous.
A deputy headed to the West Portsmouth residence, but there was no answer, though they did find a small fire smoldering in the backyard.
At 11:20, a witness said the smoke had started up again and was making people sick. When a deputy went to the home, they discovered a small brush fire burning, but nobody was at home.
The neighbor put the fire out, and the deputy went in search of the homeowner. When they finally made contact, they explained that he cannot burn carpet or trash that goes against EPA standards.
