HAMILTON--An early morning fire destroyed one store and damaged two others at the Hamilton Plaza Shopping Center on 2524 Dixie Highway Tuesday. Deputy Fire Chief Larry Gassert tells WMOH Radio the call came in just before 2:00am. Police officers arrived just before firefighters, and warned that flames were coming from the Rent-A-Center store. First responders arrived, and quickly attacked the blaze, keeping it from spreading to the rest of the shopping center. Gassert says Rent-A-Center was destroyed, causing $300,000-$400,000 worth of damageto the building and contents. Gassert says The Family Dollar Store suffered smoke damage, and may lose food and other inventory, after an inspection from the City of Hamilton Health Department. The blaze also caused a window to break at A Chatti Hair Salon. No injuries were reported, and investigators are looking for a cause.
Audio: Deputy Fire Chief Larry Gassert describes the damage
Audio: Deputy Fire Chief Larry Gassert describes what first responders encountered