State, federal authorities probe cause of fire

Damage was estimated at $250,000 at a Youngstown Road property.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- State and federal investigators have been called in to probe a suspicious fire Monday that destroyed a building that was once used for boat sales and a restaurant.
Firefighters were called to the vacant, one-story building at 3550 Youngstown Road shortly after 2 a.m. There were no injuries.
Fire Capt. Dan Suttles said the two-alarm fire appeared to have been set in the rear of the building. He estimated damage at $250,000.
The building last housed National Auto & amp; Marine, but has been vacant for some time. It was once Sabatini's restaurant.
The property is owned by Bill J. Hionas, according to the fire department. County treasurer records show $8,538 in back property taxes are owed the county.
Hionas could not be reached to comment.
Suttles said the building was ablaze when the fire department arrived, but then really went up after ventilation holes were cut in the roof by firefighters.
"It took off pretty good," the captain said.
Investigative help
The state fire marshal's office and agents of the U.S. Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in to assist in the investigation.
Firefighter Jeff Koehn, who is in charge of the city's fire investigations unit, said the ATF is normally called in when there is a fire at a commercial building.
Besides, Koehn explained, the city department has been busy with 10 fires in the past two weeks in which causes have not been determined.
"The more hands, the more help," Koehn said.
Koehn and Suttles said the fire appears suspicious because the building has been vacant and the electricity had been shut off.
Koehn also noted that the shell of a boat in the parking lot to the rear of the building had been burned within the past year.
The fire caused the rear portion of the roof to collapse along with portions of the front of the roof.
Koehn said investigators want to remove the roof and flooring to get a better look in an attempt to find the cause.
yovich@vindy.com