Firefighters battle huge fire in Logansport

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WLFI) – Fire officials are calling Closson Lumber & Peculiar Treasures a “total loss” after a fire early Friday morning.

Firefighters were dispatched to the building in the 800 block of Erie Avenue around 4:20 a.m.

The business dated back to the late 1890s. Owner Ed Closson said the building was for sale, but he was still using it to store and sell antiques and other inventory.

No one was inside when the fire began.

The fire was contained around 6 a.m. As of 7:30 a.m., crews were putting out small flames.

According to Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell, fire officials are calling it an “apparent arson.”

Another fire broke out in Logansport Friday around 1:45 a.m. less than one-half mile from Closson Lumber at Richardson’s Cleaners on East Broadway. Officials are also calling that fire an “apparent arson.”

Due to burned transformers, internet services are down for most Logansport residents. A representative from Frontier Communications said only a few of its customers in the area are affected. Some areas are experiencing power outages. Kitchell said internet services should be back up around 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Fire departments from Logansport, Peru, Monticello, Walton, 12 Mile, Royal Center and Cass County helped control the flames.

If you can, avoid the area of Erie Avenue and Ninth Street in Logansport.