LONDON, Ohio — A London woman and her two sons escaped a late-night house fire Thursday after her oldest son spotted flames shooting from the garage and alerted the family in time to get out.
The fire at Kendra Holley’s home occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. on April 30. According to family members, Holley’s oldest son was sitting at his desk when he heard loud pops, smelled smoke, and saw flames coming from the garage. He alerted Holley and his brother, and the family made it to a neighbor’s house across the street. Family members say three explosions were heard coming from the home after they evacuated.
The fire department and police responded to the scene. According to the family, arson dogs were brought in from Columbus as part of the investigation.
The family lost all of their belongings in the fire.
Holley is described by family as a single mother of two, founder of the Reclaiming Hope Project, a former victim-witness advocate in Madison County, and a law student at Capital University Law School, where she is completing her Juris Doctor degree this month.
Her sister, Heather Kennemore, posted publicly about the incident and alleged the fire was not accidental. Kennemore wrote that Holley was terminated from her position on January 23, 2026, which she describes as retaliation after Holley refused to perform duties that would have required her to violate her oath as a victim’s advocate and after she raised concerns about what the family describes as illegal activity involving elected officials in Madison County, including the prosecuting attorney and judges.
Kennemore further alleges that a member of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office threatened Holley the day before the fire. She wrote that many in the community believe the fire was connected to Holley’s whistleblower activity.
It is not confirmed at this time whether the fire has been officially classified as arson, whether any suspects have been identified, or whether the alleged threat has been formally reported or investigated.
The family has established a fundraising effort to assist Holley and her children while they await an insurance settlement.