The fire that destroyed the former Beckett Paper Company office building on Dayton Street late Wednesday afternoon is being called suspicious, according to Hamilton City Manager Craig Bucheit. The blaze broke out around 4:30pm, and had spread to all floors in less than 10 minutes. Firefighters from several nearby jurisdictions provided mutual aid at the scene. Bucheit says the building partially collapsed onto Dayton Street, and a demolition team was brought in to knock down what was left of the structure, while firefighters continued to spray water on the smouldering ruins. Bucheit says there was no electricity in the building, which is why they believe the fire may have been the result of a criminal act. No injuries were reported. The city had purchased the property in recent years, with plans to re-develop the area, which sits close to downtown.

(Photo Courtesy of Doug Crawford)