**Check out the latest videos section to see fire consume the former General Industries building **** 

ELYRIA –  A fire ripped through the former General Industries building at Taylor and Olive streets overnight, forcing an entire neighborhood to evacuate and damaging nearby buildings.

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, roughly 600 residents as well as Ridge Tool remain without power after it was shut down at 3:45 a.m. because the lines ran near the flaming building. An Ohio Edison spokesman said he didn’t know when the power could be restored as crews remained at the scene of the building.

 The fire, which was reported at 1:40 a.m., sent showers of flaming ash onto nearby buildings and flames shot hundreds of feet into the air as the three-story brick walls collapsed and tumbled into the streets.

 Acting fire Chief Joe Pronesti said when firefighters got the call, the fire already was burning too hot to send his men inside. Instead, he sent out a call for help from area departments – as many as eight other departments were on scene to help – and they battled from the outside, trying to contain as well as extinguish the blaze.

Pronesti said there wasn’t enough water pressure, which prompted him to call on neighboring departments with the ability to shuttle water.

No one was injured.

Pronesti said he’s been worried about a fire in the nearly vacant factory for years. The vast complex of building stretches for three blocks.

 “I pass this building every day and size it up,” Pronesti said.

About 25 police officers were called in to work to control traffic and crowds, said police Chief Michael Medders.

Mayor Bill Grace showed up at the scene, too.

“We’re thankful the departments in the area are available and offered their help,” he said.

Nineteen families took refuge at Eastern Heights Junior High School, according to the Red Cross, which had about 30 workers and volunteers assisting families and serving cold drinks to firefighters.

Firefighters said the fire broke out in the dock area, the same place a fire was extinguished last Thursday.

General Industries moved out of its brick factory years ago and just a small portion of the building is now used by J-Tech, a composite molder employing about 10 people making sinks, tubs and other items

At the time of last week’s fire, Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Saddler warned a J-Tech employee to be “really careful” disassembling the dock because of all the combustible material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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