‘Suspicious’ fire at abandoned Downtown Dayton high-rise under investigation

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By WHIO Staff

DAYTON — A fire reported at one of Downtown Dayton’s high-rise buildings drew a large response on Friday afternoon.

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The fire was reported at the corner of S. Main Street and E. Fourth Street around 2:06 p.m., according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch.

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The call indicated that smoke was in the building, according to dispatchers.

The fire itself was on the fourth floor of the building and required crews to enter from two different floors.

Hazmat trucks and fire trucks were parked outside of the Center City Building, which is just feet from the RTA Hub, Dayton Arcade, and Levitt Pavilion. The response closed roads around the building to traffic.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, Dayton Fire Chief Mike Rice said the building has been abandoned for so long that they don’t know what’s inside. They called hazmat to the scene just in case they found something hazardous.

One witness who spoke to News Center 7 said he saw smoke come out of the building before crews got there. He’s scared that as it gets colder, this might turn into a bigger problem.

News Center 7 was told the fire was being investigated as a suspicious fire.

We’ll continue to follow this story and provide updates.

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Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.

Downtown Dayton Fire The fire was reported at 40 S. Main Street in Downtown Dayton.