Open flame culprit in MCCTC fire

CANFIELD — State fire marshal investigators believe an open flame is responsible for the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center fire earlier this month.

The May 4 fire gutted two classrooms in the main building at the tech center, and heavily damaged the roof. The building is closed for the rest of the year.

The career center students are attending classes at the Gordon D. James Career Center building in Lordstown.

The MCCTC building caught fire after a bucket of solvent in an art room went up in flames.

Investigators have ruled out static electricity, spontaneous combustion and a chemical reaction as the cause.

The state fire marshal’s office said investigators have not determined whether the fire was accidentally or intentionally set. The office is working with Canfield police and the Cardinal Joint Fire District.