Fire at vacant house

Fire at vacant house

YOUNGSTOWN — Heavy smoke was showing in the kitchen area and firefighters had to force their way through a front window at 471 Sherwood Ave. at 2:50 a.m. Wednesday because the vacant house’s front door was secured with bars.

A saw was later used to open the front door and forced entry was made through a rear door. Firefighters said it appears fires were started in several areas of the kitchen and on the rear door at the empty South Side structure. Damage was set at $13,000.

WCI production resumes

WARREN – Production of hot metal used in the steelmaking process at WCI Steel has resumed after a fire broke out in the blast furnace in Warren Township.

A company spokeswoman said Wednesday a bleeder valve that controls gas emissions from the furnace malfunctioned, causing a brief plume of fire to billow about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was extinguished by workers.

Although fire departments from Warren and Howland townships and Lordstown and city of Warren responded, there was no need for them, said a spokesman for the Warren Township department.

“It looked more exciting that it was,” the spokesman said.

There were no injuries or damage, she noted, and metal production resumed later in the night.

Founders’ Day Dinner

SALEM — The 38th Annual Founders’ Day Dinner/Program sponsored by the Salem Historical Society will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Salem Community Center.

After the catered meal, the Citizens of Honor for 2008 will be named.

Jock Buta, the keynote speaker, was born in 1970 in Salem, in a family that appreciated Salem’s historical and architectural legacy. He has made pen and ink drawings of the city’s historic buildings for the past 20 years for the Salem Community Calendar. Buta worked at his father’s company, Butech. He now serves as executive vice president of Butech Bliss and has been involved in the company’s growth. Through research for the city’s bicentennial in 2006, he compiled a slide presentation on the city’s industry. He will present an updated version during the dinner.

The doors will open at 5 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (330) 337-8514.

Financial report available

NEW MIDDLETOWN — The village’s final 2007 financial report is available for public inspection at village offices, 10711 Main St.