Investigators said a fire at a vacant warehouse on the city's south side Wednesday night was considered suspicious.
The fire broke out at about 8:30 p.m. inside the former Cast Stone Company building, located near the corner of South High Street and Bartham Avenue, 10TV's Patrick Bell reported
When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting from the front of the building.
The roof collapsed while firefighters were battling the flames. Firefighters also had to deal with another problem, Bell reported.
"There was a van in there that caught on fire and some flammable metal magnesium which burns pretty rapidly and explosively, so that is always a threat to our firefighters," said Columbus fire Battalion Chief David Whiting.
Investigators said the fire may have started about 20 feet from the front entrance of the warehouse, Bell reported.
Witnesses reported seeing people running from the building just before the fire began.
"This thing was on fire two, maybe three weeks ago and here it is again," said Darren Wilburn, who works nearby. "It's just getting nonsense down here with these fires being set -- houses, tires. Something needs to be done."
No injuries were reported. The fire remained under investigation.
Since last fall nearly 30 arsons have occurred on the city's south side.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for more information.
Previous Stories:
March 25, 2009:
2 More South
Columbus Fires Ruled Arson
March 12, 2009:
Authorities
Conduct Sweep To Stop South Side Arsons
March 5, 2009:
Men In
Surveillance Video Sought In Arson Investigation
March 2, 2009:
Charges Filed In
South Side Arsons
February 23, 2009:
6 Fires Believed
To Be Deliberately Set
February 22, 2009:
Cause Still
Unknown In South Side Factory Fire
February 21, 2009:
Firefighters Battle Blaze At South Side Factory
