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Local News

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Big blaze ravages downtown Fostoria

Hancock Federal Credit Union
By MARIAH MERCER

and CHANDRA NIKLEWSKI

FOSTORIA REVIEW TIMES

FOSTORIA — Five fire departments battled a big blaze Wednesday night that was ravaging a block of downtown business buildings in Fostoria.

At least seven Fostoria businesses on and near the 100 block of South Main Street were affected. Apartments above some of the stores also were burning.

No injuries were reported.

The Findlay, Washington Township, Tiffin and Bascom Joint fire departments assisted the Fostoria Fire Department.

The fire apparently started about 6:30 p.m. in a building at the corner of Tiffin and Main streets. The building houses Fitness and Nutrition by Brett, owned by Brett Cousin, plus Lincoln Mortgage and D's Body Shop.

The blaze then spread to adjoining, connected buildings that stretch a half-block on Main between Tiffin and Center streets.

A crowd of more than 100 gathered in the downtown, many snapping photos with cameras and cell phones, as snow fell on the burning buildings.

At 8:08 p.m. firefighters announced they were taking a defensive position and that the fire was on the third floor of the Kaminsky building at 120 S. Main St. and spreading.

Flames burst through the exterior walls of that building at 8:16 p.m. The fire then traveled to the east.

At 10:30 p.m., flames erupted from the east side of another, connected building that faces Center Street.

The Kaminsky family, owner of Kaminsky and Son Jewelers, pulled jewelry and other merchandise from their building on Main Street until firefighters told them to leave the scene.

Cousin also attempted to get into his building to save what he could of his new business, but was denied access.

"I tried to get them to let me go in and get my filing cabinet, but no way," Cousin said.

Keith Owen, owner of the former Doug's Tavern on Tiffin Street, said he unlocked that building for firefighters at 6:42 p.m.

"When I opened the door, the place was loaded with smoke. I was gagging."

According to Owen, the upper levels of all the buildings are connected and there are no fire walls.

Fostoria law director and local attorney Tim Hoover came to check on his law office, which directly faces the burning buildings.

"I came up to check that I still have a law office," he said. "I'm worried about my office, but I feel even worse for the Kaminskys."

Clay Wolph, owner of Wolph Chiropractic, also across from the blaze, was on hand too.

"We were in our offices ... and at about 6:30 p.m. we smelled something like incense," Wolph said.

Joan Nelson contributed to this report.
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