Crews battle fire near Sylvania and Eastway - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Crews battle fire near Sylvania and Eastway

Posted: Updated:
TOLEDO, Ohio -

Toledo fire fighters battled flames for hours at an old vacant apartment building. It happened near Sylvania and Eastway in north Toledo just before 4am.

It didn't take long for flames to completely engulf the old vacant building. Fire crews work to battle the flames from high and low, hoses running non stop. Neighbors nearby say they woke up to the smell of smoke and the sound of breaking glass.

"We looked out the window and there were just flames pouring out that lower apartment over there. We've just been watching it all night, we couldn't sleep with all the lights," says Leonard Harris.

The flames continued to grow throughout the morning causing the roof to collapse. Fire officials say it was the old buildings design that gave the fire it's fuel and allowed to spread so quickly.

 "The problem that we find in these older structures is that they're really cut up, there's plumbing chases, and as the fire starts to spread it gets in these hidden voids and plumbing chases it spreads very rapidly and many times it's difficult to detect where the fires going because the smoke is so heavy," says Lt. Matt Hertzfeld, Toledo Fire Dept.

 The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No one was hurt.

  • Top Stories

  • A morning newscast preview for the The Toledo Zoo's new Australian exhibit.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
    A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
    A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
  • Friday, May 24 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:53:50 GMT
    High pressure will move in overnight tonight which will keep the clouds away and allow the winds to go calm. This will lead to unseasonably cold air Saturday morning. Lows are expected to be in the upper
    A late season frost is expected Memorial Day weekend for parts of Ohio.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!