COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Sunday morning fire in Colerain Township caused at least $1.5 million in damages, according to officials.
Large plumes of smoke were visible along I-74 near I-275 and in nearby communities. Motorists could also see flames and smoke from the roof of Silo XL Storage when the fire broke out before 10:30 a.m..
Colerain Township fire officials say no one was injured in the blaze, and the building is a total loss.
Crews from Miami Township, Green Township, Whitewater Township and multiple other agencies, including the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit, responded to the fire.
The Colerain Township Fire Department wrote in a release that the hazardous materials teams said "there was no immediate concern" about any hazardous or harmful fumes being released into the atmosphere.
Traffic on westbound I-74 was restricted to one lane for hours Sunday.
"We've had smoke and heat on the highway, so we've had to shut down most of I-74," said Chief Steve Conn. Trucks and tankers moved onto I-74 as firefighters used over two miles of hose to battle the blaze, which Conn said was about 75 feet from the interstate.
Multiple exposures in the area. All companies operating defensively. pic.twitter.com/PXn8HJ8UwG
— Colerain Twp. Fire (@Colerain_Fire) December 22, 2019
Colerain fire units on scene of working fire at old Wayne Pole Buildings morning n Kepler off of I74. 2nd alarm called for. Possible entrapment. Please avoid area. I74 may eceperience delays due to heave smoke.
— Colerain Twp. Fire (@Colerain_Fire) December 22, 2019
@WKRQ @WCPO something on fire off I-275 near Great Miami. According to Google maps Looks like there’s a storage facility and a car collector business there. I could feel the heat driving by. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/25E0CrSBEx
— Tour de Joe (@TourdeJoe) December 22, 2019
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
WCPO will update this story as more information becomes available.
