Alliance to fix Main Street Caboose after fire

ALLIANCE − A downtown landmark damaged by fire will be repaired and repainted, Mayor Alan Andreani said.

The red Main Street Caboose at East Market Street and South Mechanic Avenue sustained exterior and interior damage in a February fire. The caboose, which is owned by the city, sits on a municipal parking lot and has a stage for concerts.

When the fire happened: Alliance firefighters investigating blaze that damaged the Main Street Caboose

According to the Fire Department, the fire on Feb. 27 remains under investigation. It has been listed as arson with no known suspects.

Andreani said the "goal" is to have the caboose ready before the first downtown summer concert on June 2 featuring Jimmy & The Soul Blazers. He also said the interior − which had significant damage − could be permanently sealed.

The caboose represents the city's railroad history, sitting in a lot across East Main Street from the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce. It has been there since April 25, 1993.

"Structurally, it's fine," said Chamber President Mark Locke. "(The fire) did not affect anything on the outside. It didn't touch the stage area. So that's still all good."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance to repair, repaint fire-damaged Main Street Caboose landmark