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Probe continues into Boardman fire
BOARDMAN
Fire officials still are investigating what caused a fire Sunday night that damaged all four businesses in a McClurg Road complex but said the blaze did not appear intentional.
Boardman Fire Investigator Lt. Jim McCreary said the fire call occurred about 8:45 p.m. Sunday, and when crews arrived at 225 McClurg Road smoke was already through the roof above D&D Industrial Services Inc., which is where the fire is believed to have originated.
“The causes will probably be determined from the insurance companies. The fire is not suspicious. Its cause is undetermined right now, but it was unintentional,” McCreary said.
D&D, which provides uniforms, linens, mops and other items to businesses, sustained fire damage, and there was heavy smoke and some water damage in the other businesses: FortyTwo Inc., an audio- visual staging and rental company; Stone Appeal, a concrete business; and Vision Detailing, which details cars and other vehicles, he said.
“We’re putting together an estimate, but there’s probably about $300,000 in structural damage, and the damage to the contents in all the suites could reach $1 million,” McCreary said.
Insurance investigators milled about the complex Monday morning as business owners detailed what was lost.
“We’re not really sure what to do. We’ve been doing car detailing here for about four years,” said Tiffany Hamilton, whose fianc , Angelo Russo, owns the business.
The cars inside Vision during the fire did not appear to have extensive damage and were dealership cars, Hamilton said. She was unsure when the business would reopen or if it would relocate.
Next to Vision was D&D, and owners already were thinking of what to do next.
“Our offices are gone. ... But we are already working on things together to keep serving our customers,” said co-owner Joe Buchanan.
Buchanan said the 20-year-old local business employs about 16 people, and as of Monday morning, already had received many offers of help.
McCreary said although FortyTwo Inc. employees were working at the time of the fire — they smelled smoke and called 911 — none were injured.
A Boardman firefighter was shocked when he was hit with a live wire in the building. “He has been treated and released and will be back for his next shift,” McCreary said.
No other injuries were reported.
All eight Boardman firefighters on duty responded and McCreary said because of staffing levels, Boardman called Beaver Township and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, which covers Poland, for mutual aid. The Metro Arson Task Force also was called out.