Source Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
Sept. 11--PAINESVILLE -- The iconic dome on City Hall was saved thanks to the fast work of Painesville firefighters responding to the blaze from their department less than 100 yards away Saturday afternoon.
"My crews did a fantastic job of getting up there and containing the fire (to the dome area)," said Painesville Fire Chief Mark Mlachak during an impromptu press conference on the city square.
"This is just so sad," said Debra Fitzgerald who lives across the street from the building.
"First you just started seeing the smoke and then the flames," she said.
"When I arrived there was heavy smoke coming from the cupola," Mlachak said. He said the call came in around 4:32. "We were on the scene within a minute," he said.
"It appears at this time we have saved the dome," Mlachak said. He said the smoke damage to the building is minimal.
Mlachak said the dome is not a functional part of City Hall. "It is strictly a decorative piece," he said.
"At this point we do not know," Mlachak said of the cause of the fire that will be determined by a fire investigative unit.
Firefighters became aware of the fire when smoke detectors went off, Mlachak said. He said the fire was under control about an hour after it was called in.
The biggest problem was water damage to the second floor, he said of the water that came down from the dome into the second floor which houses administrative offices.
"We are going to do everything possible to make sure we are operating Monday," Mlachak said. He said the second floor will likely not be ready for operation so the city manager may have to temporarily move her offices.
"LIfe goes on, the city needs to run," Mlachak said as dozens of people lined the square watching as firefighters rehydrated and chatted after battling the blaze.
As the firefighters recovered from their work children played in a gazebo and police blocked traffic in and out of portions of the square that also includes the Lake County Courthouse and administrative offices.
"We have 15 departments here from two counties," he said. Fire departments responding included Leroy, Men- tor, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville Township, Concord, Madison, Fair-port, Perry, Willoughby, Eastlake and Chardon.
Mlachak said the manpower was needed because the operation was very complex. He said salvaging records, computers and other city property was essential.
"We designated three engine crews to salvage," he said.
