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5 years ago an early morning fire destroyed 2/3 block in Historic Downtown Loveland

May 29, 2022

Loveland, Ohio – It was Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 28, 2017, when an 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland did extensive damage to two historic buildings and minor damage to a third. There were no injuries to occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

Here are “then and now” photos.

NOW photos

EDITOR’S NOTE:

After reading this story today, firefighter Steve Pegram sent us the following message:

“11 departments yes there is no such thing as an 11 alarm fire. A 1 alarm in Loveland brings 4 departments and 7 stations. For example, the initial dispatch to Tano’s was LSFD (60, 61, 62, 63), Goshen (19), Miami Township (27), and Deerfield (57). So 11 departments would be 2-3 alarms of course the only people that would know that are fire people like me.”

Thank you Steve for helping us be more accurate!

Below you can view all of the photos of the fire’s aftermath in this re-print of the first story we published that day.

Early morning fire destroys 2/3 block in Historic Downtown Loveland

Loveland, Ohio – An 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland early Sunday morning did extensive damage to two historic buildings, and minor damage to a third. There were no injuries to occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

West Loveland Avenue, Karl Brown Way, and Railroad Avenue remain closed to traffic. There are nearby businesses that remain closed until electrical service is restored.

The former Julian’s Deli, now owned by Paxton Grill, which recently had sprinklers installed on both floors, has slight structural and water damage.

The fire apparently started in the rear of Tanos Bistro at 1:20 AM. Four businesses lost almost everything. Firefighters remain on the scene, and inspectors are assessing damage and looking for cause.

The buildings are close to the street so roadways may be closed for quite some time as inspectors evaluate possible danger to motorists traveling West Loveland Avenue and Karl Brown Way.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A reader has brought to our attention that residents of five apartments lost “everything” in the fire, including damage to automobiles. There is a goFundme page already set up to help a photographer, Brad Uhrig and his son who lost their personal belongings, including Brad’s photo gear.

Click on a photo to enlarge and view as a slide show.

Up-date on major fire in Historic Downtown Loveland

By Loveland Magazine – May 29, 2017

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland/Symmes Fire Chief Otto Huber told Loveland Magazine Sunday evening that the structural engineer the City brought in to inspect the buildings damaged by an overnight fire in Loveland’s Historic District said that after a preliminary look, the buildings could be restored. He also told Huber that he had seen building with more damage, brought back to life.

Huber also said that they suspect the fire began because of an electrical problem, and there is one spot that will receive more attention in the coming days as they try to determine how the fire started.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=861100906&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.5~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=4&bdt=733&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280&nras=3&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=1437&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=p8So1WQZgB&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=69

An 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland early Sunday morning did extensive damage to two historic buildings, and minor damage to three others. There were no injuries to residential occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

Residents of five apartments on the upper floors have lost everything, including damage to automobiles

The building that housed Tano’s Bistro and the Bishop Building sustained substantial fire damage. Three businesses had extensive damage: Tano’s Bistro, Cincy Fashion Wheels, and Gina Dubell-Smith, a Comey & Shepherd Realtor.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=1403234929&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.11~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=3&bdt=732&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280%2C640x280&nras=4&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=2029&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=ARY9cT2lAF&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=174

The former Julian’s Deli, now owned by Paxton’s Grill only suffered minor fire damage. The fire sprinklers in the building did not activate. Huber said the heat inside the building wasn’t great enough to activate the sprinklers, but the interior of the building has damage from the water used to keep the fire from spreading. Cleanup was already underway on what will be called, Bike Trail Junction. Co-owner, Kevin Egan said their opening was scheduled in the coming weeks, but the opening will have to be rescheduled.

Narrow Path Brewing Company on Karl Brown Way had roof damage that was being repaired Sunday evening. The business remained closed throughout the day. Another building, further north on Karl Brown Way had newly installed plastic siding, buckle from the heat.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=2317031084&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.15~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=3&bdt=732&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280%2C640x280%2C640x280&nras=5&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=2647&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=xqJK2oAOI5&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=182

Huber also said that if possible, scaffolding will be erected on the west side of the Bishop Building on Monday. He said it will depend on whether they can get someone to do the work on the Memorial Day Holiday. The scaffolding will be erected to shore up the brick exterior, making it safe to be inside the building where crews could better assess the structural damage, and make it possible for rebuilding to begin.

At 8:30 PM Sunday, a fire crew was still at the scene.

In a press release issued this afternoon by Loveland City Manager, Dave Kennedy, he said, “It is the City’s desire to save these historic structures and will work with the building owners to make this happen. This is a tragic event but the City of Loveland is a very strong community and will work together to repair this part of our downtown. The City of Loveland is thankful that the fire caused no injuries or loss of life and salute the efforts of the City’s first responders.”