Early-morning fire destroys Sugar Excavating complex

Staff report

NEW SPRINGFIELD

A fire of undetermined cause early Monday destroyed the Dave Sugar Excavating maintenance and office complex at 11640 State Line Road in Springfield Township.

No injuries occurred because of the fire, which was reported at 6:45 a.m., said Springfield Township Fire Chief Matt Gebhardt said.

Flames were through the roof of the building when Springfield Township firefighters arrived at the scene. “We did not make entry into the structure,” Gebhardt said.

The fire chief said Monday afternoon he would not have an estimate of damage until he had conferred with the business owner. Ohio state fire marshals were called to the scene.

The facility, an 80-foot-by- 60-foot pole building with an attached brick office, was a total loss, as were four pieces of excavating equipment inside, Gebhardt said.

Springfield Township firefighters received mutual aid from a number of area fire departments including Beaver Township, Poland, New Middletown Village, Canfield and East Palestine, and some units out of Lawrence County in Pennsylvania.

Also, the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to prevent any runoff from getting into a nearby creek.

Firefighters cleared the scene about 12:15 p.m., Gebhardt said.