text size

Warehouse Burns in the Brewery District

Updated: Monday, February 18 2013, 08:25 PM EST
COLUMBUS — Business owners say concern was followed by a modicum of relief after fire destroyed part of a problem property on South Front Street.

Fire has plagued the building at 1133 South Front, which once housed Borcher’s Carpet Cleaning Company.  

It’s been vacant since 2007, but people who work nearby often see homeless and vagrants coming and going.

Investigator will try to figure out those people know how the fire started.

“Every day you think it could happen especially in the winter time when it gets cold and they need somewhere to go,” said Steve Smith, who owns the dry cleaning business next door.  

The fire broke out around 4 a.m.  

By noon a City of Columbus wrecking crew had knocking down a portion of the building that threatened to crumble.

Smith said business owners on the street had talked about having something done about the building.

It is a difficult legal feet to have a property declared a nuisance and subsequently torn down, but a city spokeswoman said concerned citizens can start a case by calling Columbus’311 information line.

Smith admitted that while the fire was concern the subsequent demolition is a relief especially considering a history of fires at the building.  

“This has happened before but not to this extent.  Thankfully it didn’t hop across to our building,” he said.

The Franklin County Auditor lists James Eigensee as the owner of the property.  Attempts to reach him through a real estate agent and his address of record were unsuccessful. 

-----------------------

Reporter: Dana Jay
Web Producer: Kellie HannaWarehouse Burns in the Brewery District