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A large fire broke out just before 2 p.m. at the Williams and Perry Streets intersection in Paulding, Ohio Sunday. (Photo Courtesy: Jim Bowers)

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Large fire destroys Paulding building

Updated: Monday, 16 Jan 2012, 2:55 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 15 Jan 2012, 2:39 PM EST

PAULDING, OHIO (WANE) – Investigators hope to have information back from the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office later this week that will help them determine the cause of a fire that broke out in a downtown building Sunday.

The fire started around 1:40 p.m., at 110 S. Williams Street, near the Perry Street intersection.

Fire Chief Todd Weidenhamer told NewsChannel 15 he was not sure where it started or how at this point. He said once the fire is under control, they'll do a full investigation.

Weidenhamer said no one has been hurt.

"When it's burning like it was when we got here," said Weidenhamer, "it's going to be an exterior attack. Nobody's going to go inside to try and fight it. It's basically from the outside, and try to knock it down before it can spread any farther."

Crews were working to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings, and are expected to remain at the scene until at least early Monday morning.

The building was the Old Barnes Motel and it was waiting to be torn down. The fire chief said the building is a complete loss. It's last appraised value was $53,300.

One witness, Jim Bowers, told NewsChannel 15 the building is over 100 years old, has been vacant for over three years and is involved in a legal battle to have it torn down or made safe.

Fire officials said they weren't sure how much damage there was to surrounding buildings.

The fire was so large, another witness said they could see smoke from Payne, which is about 12 miles southwest of Paulding.

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