05/16/2026
Last evening at 20:14 hrs., the Dalton Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial structure fire in the downtown area. Crews arrived to find heavy fire on the south side of the structure in a second-floor unit and immediately initiated an interior fire attack.
Due to the size of the multi-occupancy complex, multiple mutual aid departments responded to assist. Crews aggressively checked the adjacent units to prevent fire extension. The Orrville Fire Department successfully set up their aerial apparatus to the roof to conduct roof operations and fire attack, while the North Lawrence Fire Department established south side operations to manage suppression efforts on that side of the building. Thanks to the fast work and seamless coordination of all units on scene, the fire was successfully contained to the single building of origin with limited spread to the adjacent structures.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross also responded to assist several families who were displaced by the incident, and Design Restoration arrived on scene to secure and board up the structure.
The Dalton Fire Department wants to extend a massive thank you to all of our mutual aid partners, dispatchers, and support agencies for their rapid response and hard work in helping us contain this fire.
We would like to thank the following for their vital assistance:
Kidron Volunteer Fire Department, North Lawrence Fire Department - Ohio, Orrville Firefighters Association, Apple Creek, East Union Twp Fire Department, Paint Township Mt. Eaton Fire Department, Marshallville Fire Department, Wooster Township Fire and Rescue, Wooster Fire Department, Chippewa Township Fire Department, Brewster Fire Dept, Massillon Fire Fighters Local 251, Wayne County Communications , Ohio State Fire Marshal, American Red Cross, Design Restoration & Reconstruction Inc., Dalton Police Department, and the community members that assisted in various ways.
