$250,000 damage in Barth Farms fire

NEW MIDDLETOWN — A fire of undetermined origin did an estimated $250,000 damage to a woodworking and repair shop at Barth Farms on Western Reserve Road in Springfield Township.

Brian Hughes, township fire chief, said members of the Barth family discovered the blaze around 1:20 a.m. today.

Firefighters, aided by crews from Poland and New Middletown, were able to contain the flames to the shop, but some antique autos kept in an attached structure sustained smoke damage, Hughes said. Much of the shop interior, tools and machinery were destroyed, he said. There were no injuries.

Firefighters initially believed the blaze was caused by an electrical problem, but a state fire marshal called in to inspect the damage listed the cause as undetermined, Hughes said.

Barth Farms once raised turkeys but is no longer in that business, Hughes said. Besides the woodworking shop, the buildings now house a candle shop, a bakery, a Little League practice facility and storage space, he said.