Two North Canton businesses have sustained severe damage following a significant fire outbreak yesterday morning, News 5 Cleveland reported. Jackson Township Fire Department crews responded swiftly to the emergency at a commercial building located in the 7800 block of Freedom Avenue NW.
The blaze, which started just after 8:30 a.m., engulfed the buildings that contained Off the Grid Motorsports and a security company. Fire Chief Tim Berczik described the initial approach of the team, stating, "Our guys initially, as they were making entry, had flames inside the building. Realized there was nobody inside there, heavy fire load, we instantly went into what we call a defensive attack," according to an interview with WKYC. In the heat, and danger of the moment, the decision was made to fight the fire from the outside.
Upon arrival, responders found smoke and fire emanating from the roof of the business. The firefighting operation, which included both an aggressive interior attack and a subsequent defensive approach due to structural instability concerns, was noted in a release from the Jackson Township Fire Department, Cleveland19 shared. The area surrounding the impacted location was closed off to mitigate the situation and facilitate the emergency response.
No one was reported injured in the incidents, and local law enforcement alongside fire departments from nearby areas like Green Fire, Plain Township Fire, and North Canton provided mutual aid. The Jackson Township team consisted of a variety of units including engines, tower, chiefs, safety officer, fire investigators and a public information officer. While the damage estimates and the cause of the fires remain undetermined, the fires left both businesses with total losses, and authorities are still investigating the cause and origin.
