Small downtown fire leads to Head Start evacuation

Apr. 27—ASHTABULA — Multiple fire departments responded to a fire in an alley behind a Main Avenue business on Friday morning.

"There was a fire in the back end of Michael's Furniture," said Ashtabula Department Lt Stephen Chase.

The fire was called in just after 10 a.m. when smoke became visible at the back of the store, Chase said.

The fire caused about $5,000 in damage and most of the damage was outside the store, Chase said.

Chase said Head Start employees self-evacuated from an adjacent building. He said he moved the employees and students to a different area downtown because of the direction of the smoke.

"The fire is still under investigation," he said.

Firefighters were on the scene for 45 minutes to an hour, Chase said.

Fire departments responding include Ashtabula, Ashtabula Township and Saybrook Township.

Firefighters could be seen pulling debris from the fire area a little after 11 a.m.