CFD Responds To Warwick Avenue Fire

Firefighters were called to 45 Warwick Ave. today for a report of a fire at a three-story combination retail and apartment building, with flames showing on the roof. 

The flames appeared extinguished by 5:05 p.m., as firefighters crawled on the roof and cut through it to ventilate the structure. 

Kenny Stannard owns the building and runs the furniture store on the first floor, K.J. Standard Company. 

"A good samaritan drove by, saw smoke coming out of the roof," Stannard said. "I leave, come out to look, and there it is—the building is on fire."

As firefighters continued to probe the building to make sure the fire was fully extinguished, Stannard said it has been a struggle as of late.

"With the economy and everything," he said. "Now you can add this to the list."

Stannard said he believes the businesses, founded in 1934, is the oldest on Warwick Avenue. He came to the city in 1960.

Along with the first floor furniture store, the building has two apartments on the second floor. The third floor, where the fire appears to have started, does not house an apartment.

"It's just a big empty space with 11-foot ceilings," Stannard said.

Nobody was harmed in the blaze.

Check back soon for more details as they become available.