A storage building and its contents were destroyed by fire Tuesday night along Washington Street in Chillicothe.
The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to the location near 1401 Washington Street with Fire Chief Eric Reeter describing it as BEHIND the old Cooke Sales and Service building.
Upon arrival by Chillicothe fire personnel and equipment, Chief Reeter reported there was heavy fire conditions near the center of a metal garage storage building. Due to heavy fire, the department decided on a defensive fire attack since the structure was deemed unsafe for personnel to enter. Two fire engines and the ladder truck were at the scene. Mutual aid was requested from the Trenton fire department with a ladder truck on stand by at the Chillicothe station since all Chillicothe fire apparatus was in use.
Chief Reeter said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Approximately 100,000 gallons of water were used in extinguishing the blaze, however, the building and its contents were a total loss. The building was used by an internet sales company and was full of shelving loaded with boxes of merchandise. The occupant of the burned building was listed as Shawn White of Chillicothe and the owner of the structure Jeff Roberts of St. Catherine.
Due to the extreme temperature and a heat index, in combination with intense heat from the fire, Chief Reeter said four Chillicothe fire personnel received IV fluids on the scene for dehydration with one Chillicothe firefighter transported to Hedrick Medical Center for treatment of heat exhaustion.
The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to the fire scene at 5 o’clock Tuesday and remained on the scene for over six hours.
