The Nelsonville Division of Fire was alerted for a blown electrical transformer behind 29 ½ East Columbus Street at 10:20 PM on Saturday, April 11th. On arrival in the area firefighters discovered smoke coming from the roof of 30 Public Square, which houses the Hocking Galleries. Fire fighters initiated an aggressive interior fire attack but were forced to retreat from the interior of the building by severe fire conditions. Firefighters from Nelsonville, York Township, The Plains, Logan and Athens were able to contain the fire by 3:00 AM, Sunday, April 12th. No civilians or emergency personnel were injured during fire.
Four Public Square buildings suffered damage from the fire.
*20 Public Square
Owner – L HeureuxEUREUX LTD, Athens, Ohio, Built 1914
Business – Majestic Art Galleries
Smoke and Water Damage
*30 Public Square
Owner – Hocking Valley Museum of Theatrical History Inc., Built 1879
Business – Hocking Art Galleries
Severe Fire and Water Damage
*34 Public Square
Owner – Hocking Valley Museum of Theatrical History Inc., Built 1879
Business – McFadden Insurance Services
Fire, Water and Smoke Damage
*36, 46, 52 Public Square
Owner – Hocking Valley Museum of Theatrical History Inc., Built 1879
Business – Stuarts Opera House
Smoke and Water Damage
No damage estimate is available at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time. Firefighters remain on the scene extinguishing hot spots.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog 