ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Authorities have determined the fire that destroyed the Zanesville Masonic Temple was accidental after it started in a trash can.
The fire happened back on Jan. 6 at the building located at 36 North Fourth Street.
Before firefighters arrived, officers with the Zanesville Police Department entered the building to find heavy smoke, heat and limited visibility.
When fire crews arrived at the scene, they found a man dangling out of a third-story window. He told firefighters he was trapped and had animals.
Crews were able to rescue both the man and several animals. The person was uninjured.
Although crews were working to fight the fire, it continued to spread, and the roof eventually collapsed.
An investigation found the fire started after someone heated a hand towel in a microwave and threw the towel into a trash can, causing the contents of the trash can to ignite.
Authorities say one person has been charged with obstruction of official business and falsification in connection with the fire. The name of this person is not being released at this time.
10TV spoke with the Mayor of Zanesville, Don Mason.
“I can tell you right now to this day, it is still unbelievable what stood here once as a beautiful historic structure that's now, literally a few blocks sitting on top of each other, broken glass and brick and dirt everywhere it's just so hard to believe,” he said.
The building was used by the community and housed artist studios, businesses and organizations. The building was about 120 years old.
The fire ended up destroying nearly 500 pieces of art and displacing 60 businesses.
Mason said they have been able to relocate some of the businesses that were destroyed in the fire.
He said the owners are in the planning stages of what's next for that property. Whatever comes next, Mason believes it will include the memory of the temple somehow.
"To rebuild from the ground up that's a hard process. Art and art history is a part of our past, but we want it to be a part of our present and future,” said Mason.
In late January, crews began to demolish the remaining structure.
Previous coverage
- Crews demolish Zanesville Masonic Temple 2 weeks after devastating fire
- Mayor: Historic Zanesville Masonic Temple to be demolished Friday
- 'Like losing a family member’: Community hopes legacy of Zanesville Masonic Temple will live on in wake of fire
- Local artist remembers Masonic Temple as 'Majesty of Zanesville'
- Historic Zanesville Masonic Temple destroyed by fire