TOLEDO, Ohio — Editor's note: The following story has been edited to include new information made available by the Lucas County Court of Clerks, the Ohio BMV and a restaurant affected by the fire.
A portion of a south Toledo strip mall caught fire Thursday morning.
Smoke and fire was seen in the area of the Lucas County Title Office on Heatherdowns Boulevard about 11:15 a.m. According to Assistant Fire Chief John Kaminski, no one was injured.
The area sustained extensive water damage and will be closed for the foreseeable future. The fire was under control by noon.
The cause was ruled accidental and the incident started as an electrical fire.
In a statement, a representative from the Lucas County Clerk of Courts said the Heatherdowns Automobile and Watercraft Title Office was "totally destroyed" in Thursday's fire, describing it as a "total loss."
Authorities said all employees were able to vacate the office quickly and no injuries were sustained as a result of the fire. However, the office will remain closed indefinitely as a result of fire damage.
"There is no timeline as to when a possible new office may open," the representative said.
Those needing title work done or U.S. Passport applications processed can do so at one of the other three locations:
- Sylvania Branch Office, 4900 N. McCord Rd.
- Oregon Branch Office, 3034 Navarre Ave.
- Downtown Toledo Branch Office, 1600 Madison Ave.
Sebastiano's Italiano Restaurant, which is located two doors down from the title office where the fire started, will be temporarily closed after sustaining "pretty significant" smoke damage.
Restaurant owners Jon and Sara said in a Facebook post they are working with their insurance company to coordinate cleanup and expressed gratitude that no one was hurt.
"I am also unaware of any injuries to anyone in this strip," they said in the post. "With the Title Office, License Bureau, two restaurants, a dance studio and an insurance office, that is a small miracle."
The owners said they would update customers online when they know more regarding a potential reopening date.
The Ohio BMV's Heatherdowns location, which is in the same strip as the Title Office, also announced they would be closed until further notice as a result of the fire.
Customers with driving tests scheduled will be contacted by the BMV to reschedule, a representative said. The closest open locations are 26611 Dixie Hwy. in Perrysburg and 3018 Navarre Ave. in Oregon.
Many services may also be completed online, officials said.
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