Old Paper Company Burns in Ohio

June 5, 2009
Flames were visible when firefighters arrived at 4:30 p.m.

DAYTON, Ohio --

Investigators are still trying to find the cause for a large fire that took over an abandoned building on Edwin C. Moses Boulevard in Dayton Thursday evening.

The call came around 4:30 p.m., and when firefighters arrived at the scene of the old Howard Paper Co., flames were pouring out one of the complex buildings and witnesses said the flames blocked out the sun and smoke billowed out of the doors and windows.

It took firefighters several hours to contain the blaze and several more for teams to search for hot spots and knock them down.

Dayton Fire Department Chief Mark Whisman said the old wood in the building was surrounded by a newer steel and concrete structure, which made it safer for the area but harder for his crews.

"It's a real headache trying to get past overhaul and get all the hot spots," he said.

Firefighters said this building has been home to homeless people in the area, and the fire could have been started by one of their fires that just got out of control.

No one was injured in this fire, and the cause is still being investigated.

Copyright 2009 by whiotv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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