A late-night fire tore through Rice Auto Body on Millville-Oxford Road in Hanover Township on Monday, sending heavy smoke over the rural roadway and drawing a major response from area fire crews. Flames shot from the building as multiple emergency vehicles packed the area and nearby roads were shut down so firefighters and residents could stay out of harm’s way. Neighbors watched from a distance while sirens, spotlights and flashing lights turned the stretch into an active emergency scene.
What happened
According to WLWT, firefighters were called to Rice Auto Body on Monday night, and video from near the shop shows flames coming from the building as first responders work the scene. The outlet reported that it was not yet clear when the fire started or whether anyone was injured, and that a WLWT crew was on the way to cover developments. Officials closed nearby roads while crews battled the blaze.
The shop and the neighborhood
Rice Auto Body is a long-established, family-run repair shop listed at 2362 Millville-Oxford Road, according to the Oxford welcome guide. The business has served Butler County residents for decades and is a familiar landmark on the stretch between Hamilton and Oxford.
Response and resources
Hanover Township’s volunteer fire department handles local calls and works with county teams when incidents grow beyond what small departments can manage alone. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office notes that its Emergency Response Services unit is dispatched when an event exceeds normal local capabilities. ERS trains for hazmat incidents, structural collapse and other technical rescues, and can bring specialized equipment and extra personnel when requested. That county-level mutual-aid setup is commonly used for larger fires and complicated scenes.
What we still don't know
WLWT reported that investigators had not yet identified a cause for the fire and that there was no immediate information on injuries or damage estimates. Authorities are expected to release more details once the scene is secured and a formal investigation gets underway.
Drivers are urged to avoid Millville-Oxford Road while closures remain in place. Residents can monitor Butler County Sheriff’s Office notifications and local news outlets for updates as firefighters and investigators continue their work. This story will be updated as more information is released.
