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Work on brickwork causes fire at downtown Youngstown high-rise
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Fire investigators say construction crews renovating the brickwork at a downtown building touched off a small fire Thursday.
Firefighters were called to the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority high-rise Amedia Plaza at West Boardman and Hazel streets about 12:10 p.m. for a report of smoke in the building. When they arrived, they found smoke in a sixth floor apartment.
Fire Investigator Capt. Alvin Ware said the construction workers were using sanders and grinders on the bricks around the building, tools that can create a spark. He said they caught a spark on the wood around the window of one of the apartments, causing a small fire that spread from the outside through the wall to the apartment.
No one was injured, but three of the department’s ladder trucks were among the vehicles on the scene, snarling traffic around city hall in the early afternoon hours.
The building has 12 floors plus a 13th floor for maintenance but all residents were evacuated, Ware said.
There was a heavy smell of smoke around the building but no flames were ever visible. Firefighters ripped the woodwork off the window so they could pour water directly on the hot spot.
A damage estimate was not available Thursday.
Resident Peg Alford lives on the 11th floor and said she heard on the public-address system that smoke was in the building and residents needed to evacuate. She said that was difficult because she needs a walker.
On the ninth floor, however, she was helped by firefighters. She said she was very thankful for their help.
“I just thank God for the quick response,” Alford said.
Chief John O’Neill said his crews are prepared to fight fires in high-rise buildings and regularly train in vacant buildings. They have plans for operations in several big downtown buildings.