An early Sunday morning fire in the basement of the Old Butler County Courthouse at 101 High Street jolted downtown Hamilton, drawing multiple fire companies to the square. Fire crews moved quickly to track the source of the smoke, search the historic building for any sign the flames had spread, and coordinate with city workers who cut power to nearby blocks as a safety measure.
According to WKRC, the blaze was discovered just after 6 a.m. and prompted mutual-aid assistance from multiple departments. High Street was temporarily shut down while crews operated in the area. As of mid-morning, officials had not released details about what started the fire or how extensive the damage might be.
Firefighters say blaze was contained to one room
Hamilton Fire Chief Thomas Eickelberger told Journal-News that a fire alarm came in at about 6:30 a.m., sending firefighters to a basement blaze that was ultimately contained to a single room. He said crews were venting the courthouse and overhauling the affected area to check for any extension of the fire. No injuries were reported, and power was shut off in surrounding blocks while crews worked.
The courthouse has been undergoing a phased preservation program in recent years that includes basement and roof work, part of a broader restoration plan previously detailed by Journal-News.
Building history and preservation
The Butler County Courthouse dates to the late nineteenth century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with an ornate interior and long civic history that make it a downtown landmark, according to The Clio. The building survived a major and deadly fire in 1912 and has been the focus of recurring preservation efforts over the decades.
Road closures and downtown impact
WKRC reported that High Street was temporarily closed as firefighters and police secured the courthouse square, with traffic diverted away from the scene. County officials had not yet indicated whether any court operations would be relocated. Crews stayed on site into the morning to assess damage and make sure the area was safe.
Investigators had not identified a likely cause by mid-morning, and county emergency officials said additional information will be released when it becomes available. This story will be updated as authorities share more details.
