Abandoned building destroyed by fire [East Liverpool, OH]

[yfdgricker]

Abandoned building destroyed by fire
Story by MICHAEL D. McELWAIN/Staff Writer in the Lisbon Monring Journal on 10/24/2009.

Article Photos
Morning Journal/Wayne Maris
East Liverpool fire Lt. Jeff Kreefer and firefighter Jeff Southall battle a blaze at a home on Ravine Street Friday night. The building, which has been abandoned for several years, was destroyed, but there were no injuries. Story, Page 8A.

EAST LIVERPOOL - An abandoned home on Ravine Street was destroyed by fire late Friday.

According to Lt. Jeff Kreefer of the East Liverpool Fire Department, the blaze was active when firefighters arrived less than three minutes after receiving the call, which was transferred from the police department at 8:38 p.m.

"Flames were coming out of the rear of the structure and extending into the roof," Kreefer noted.

Since the structure has been abandoned for several years, firefighters were still trying late Friday to determine the exact address. Kreefer said the building, which is part masonry and part brick veneer over a wood frame, is located in the 100 block of Ravine Street and used to be the Woodbine Laundry.

"We're not sure if anyone even owns it anymore," he said.

The laundry was on one side of the building, and an apartment was on the other side. Kreefer said the fire started in the apartment side, and that's where it was contained.

"Fortunately, there was no property really close to the burning building. It was basically isolated from the others nearby," Kreefer added. There were no utilities turned on, but power company officials were on the scene as a precaution due to nearby electrical lines.

Kreefer said he hopes the structure will be taken down to eliminate the chance of another fire.

A total of 10 men using two engines, the aerial and the emergency response van worked to extinguish the blaze, which was under control by 10:01 p.m. Firefighters were back at the station at 10:40 p.m. Friday.

mmcelwain@reviewonline.com