Sunday, June 24, 2012
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
The former Automatic Sprinkler Corp. building at Brittain and Jones streets was on fire Saturday morning for the third or fourth time in the last few weeks.
Jim Drummond, a battalion chief for the fire department, said he could not say that all the fires had been intentionally set, but added “it keeps getting lit.”
The fire department decided to allow the site to burn Saturday because of the building’s condition after the previous fires, Drummond said.
“We’re taking a defensive approach and making sure none of the surrounding structures are damaged. We put the fire out the first time, but now because of the damage it’s not safe for us to go in,” he said.
The fire burned for several hours Saturday and the thick, black smoke could be seen miles away.