Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Staff report
WARREN
For a second time in two weeks, the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosions Bureau is asking for the public’s help in solving an intentionally set fire at a Warren bar.
The fire marshal’s office ruled Monday’s 5:58 a.m. fire at Uncle Sil’s bar an arson. The bar is at 2774 Youngstown Road near Central Parkway Avenue Southeast.
Ron Ficetti, bar owner, said he was in the process of selling it. Friday was the last day it was open, he said.
Fire Chief Ken Nussle said the blaze caused $50,000 to $70,000 worth of damage but did not injure anyone. There were people living in the apartments above the bar.
The first caller said, “Somebody set a fire in the back of Uncle Sil’s.” It wasn’t clear where the caller was when he called, but he knew there were apartments there. He said an alarm was sounding.
Several people had escaped from the apartments by the time firefighters arrived. One of three people who called 911 said the fire was coming out of the back and smoke was coming out of the front.
A window in the rear door to the bar near the bar’s patio had been smashed open, Nussle said. The fire caused smoke and heat damage to the apartments, but only the bar sustained fire damage, he said.
The chief said he doesn’t believe the Uncle Sil’s fire is connected to the Oct. 5 fire at the Powerhouse Bar on Mahoning Avenue.
A flammable liquid was used to start the Powerhouse fire, which started about 4:30 a.m.
Cash also was taken from two “sweepstakes” video game machines at the Powerhouse.
A reward of $5,000 is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the fire. The phone number is 800-589-2728.