Downtown-area residents forced from home by fire

April 13--CANTON -- Residents of two downtown-area buildings were displaced from their homes when a fire spread to the structures late Thursday afternoon.

The affected 2 1/2-story structures were at 807 Harriet Ave. NW and a triplex with the addresses of 1009 and 1011 Eighth St. NW. About 12 to 15 yards separate the two buildings. The fire appeared to have started in a garage just west of 807 Harriet Ave. NW, according to the city Fire Department.

"There was a garage between the two structures," Acting Battalion Chief Ray Friedmann said. "I believe that is where it started. It pretty much burned it to the ground. By the time we got here, the wind was kind of pushing the fire. That is what caused it to spread to the two houses."

Firefighters responded shortly after 5:45 p.m. Thursday. There were no injuries to the residents. During the early moments of the fire, smoke was visible downtown. The neighborhood is about three-quarters of a mile northwest of downtown.

"A total of four family groupings (units) were taken care of by the (American) Red Cross," said Tim Reichel, disaster program manager for the local chapter.

Three of the family members live at 1009 and 1011 Eighth St. NW and one in 807 Harriet Ave. NW. Damage appeared to be more extensive to the house on Harriet Avenue NW, which was charred on all three levels.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Friedmann was not certain if the damage to the two houses will result in total losses.

"That is still going to be determined by the insurance companies and the (city) Building Department," Friedmann said.

There also was heat damage to a third nearby house at 809 Harriet Ave. NW. Siding on that structure was melted and warped. But the residents of that house were not displaced.

The fire seemed difficult to contain, according to a witness.

"When they got it out, it started back up," said Kewala Gilmer, who lives nearby in the 900 block of Eighth Street NW. "Just to see your house and your possessions burned, it has got to hurt."

Reach Malcolm at 330-580-8305

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