Restoration likely for building damaged by fire in Newton Falls

Staff report

NEWTON FALLS

Much of the vehicular traffic on West Broad Street has returned, and it appears the 1800s brick Talanca building will be restored rather than demolished after a Sept. 17 fire.

Richard Bauman, chief of the Newton Falls Joint Fire District, said the fire is going to be ruled accidental, with its source being a pan on a stove in a second-floor apartment.

He said the building’s owners are still in talks with insurance adjusters, but it appears the building will not be demolished.

The second floor was destroyed in the blaze, which caused $600,000 to $700,000 in damage.

Some fire repair work has been done to the first-floor businesses, but they remain closed, Bauman said.

The alley beside the building, as well as the sidewalk and eight parking spaces in front of the building, remains closed, but traffic on West Broad was restored several weeks ago.

The architectural engineer hired by the building’s owners urged them to repair the building’s damaged roof as soon as possible to prevent the roof and a twisted I-beam from collapsing into the building.

Additional weight from snow could cause such a collapse, Bauman said.