Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Fire destroys pavilion
By Justin Wier
ROGERS
Rogers Flea Market plans to return to business as usual this week after a fire that destroyed a pavilion Friday night.
Beverly Cline, a co-owner of Rogers, said she hopes they will be able to clean up the debris by Friday. If not, some vendors will have to relocate.
All 19 vendors that occupied Pavilion G are expected to return this week, however.
The market will open at 7:30 a.m. Friday as usual, Cline said, and Wednesday’s hay and grain auction is still scheduled for 1 p.m.
The fire broke out about 11 p.m. Friday in Pavilion G.
Lisbon Fire Chief Paul Gresh said the fire started in a large hay pile in the center of the building and spread to the roof.
Negley, New Waterford, East Palestine and West Point Fire Departments also responded.
Gresh said the departments were able to contain the blaze to one building.
“Luckily, it was raining,” Gresh said. “We had to cool down some of the buildings next to it because of the intense heat, but with the rain, it kept it at bay.”
He did not see anything that led him to believe the fire was suspicious. The market was open earlier Friday, and he said a carelessly discarded cigarette could have started the fire. It also could have been an electrical short.
The Rogers Community Auction operated out of a barn when it opened in 1955. In 1980, it began to expand, adding additional buildings and pavilions.
Now the market occupies 250 acres. According to its website, the market has five miles of market and auction sales and can host up to 50,000 visitors.
Cline said Pavilion G will be rebuilt. She also thanked the community for an outpouring of support.
A statement posted on Facebook on Saturday received hundreds of likes and comments.
“We’ve had a lot of people reaching out with support, and that’s been really nice,” Cline said. “And the fire departments were fabulous.”