PAINESVILLE, Ohio — A late morning fire heavily damaged a historic landmark in Painesville, leaving 11 people looking for a new place to stay.
The historic house at the corner of Mentor Avenue and Jefferson Street had been converted into apartments, according to Painesville's fire chief.
He said everyone inside was able to get out of the house before firefighters arrived.
The chief said the call reporting a fire outside the home came in at 11 a.m.
"The officers arrived and saw the fire on the outside of the building extending up the side of the building," said Painesville Fire Chief Tom Hummel.
The flames raced through the home's attic, devouring the roof as it grew to three alarms.
Along with flames, firefighters also battled frozen fire hydrants.
The chief said that forced firefighters to run hoses through nearby streets looking for additional sources of water, triggering road closures around the fire.
Investigators are working to determine where and how the fire started.
