Fires in Montville and Burton townships destroyed a home and a shop within the past week, but no injuries were reported, according to fire officials.
Fires in Montville and Burton townships destroyed a home and a shop within the past week, but no injuries were reported, according to fire officials.
In Burton Township, an Amish-owned shop at 14255 Butternut Road was fully engulfed when firefighters responded to a call at 11:28 a.m. April 13, Burton Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Sestak said.
According to a Geauga County Sheriff’s Office report, the caller saw smoke coming from the roof and attempted to enter the structure before calling for assistance.
No one was inside at the time and no injuries were reported, Sestak said, adding about 20 fire departments responded to the scene.
The structure, located about 50 feet from a nearby house, burned amid strong winds that made it difficult to contain the fire, a firefighter at the scene said. Vinyl siding on the west side of the home was visibly melted.
“There were plenty of departments there. We had a lot of help,” Sestak said, adding the explosions heard were likely caused by small propane tanks inside the building.
Larger propane tanks located outside the workshop were not damaged.
“There were already people going to help. They’ll have it all cleaned up by tomorrow,” Sestak said
In Montville Township, a vacant home at 10653 Clay St. was destroyed in a fire reported at about 11 p.m. April 10.
According to the Geauga County Sheriff’s weekend report, neighbors told deputies they heard several explosions.
Montville Township Fire Department crews responded, with mutual aid provided by departments from Windsor and Hartsgrove townships.
Montville Township Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Briskey said Hambden Township firefighters were first on scene because Montville crews were handling another call.
Hambden crews reported the structure was fully involved upon arrival, he said.
“When Hambden pulled in, the house collapsed into the basement,” Briskey said, adding about 12 other fire departments brought in tankers and personnel to contain the flames.
No other structures were damaged in the fire, he said.
The causes of both fires remain under investigation.
