Authorities investigating fire at Keegan Enterprises

TOWNSEND TWP. — Eighteen departments fought against a massive fire at Keegan Enterprises. The blaze, which started Wednesday afternoon, destroyed 90 percent of the packing supplies business at Ohio 101 and Ohio 412, Townsend Township fire Chief John Schwochow said. Read this story as it developed Wednesday Schwochow said it was the largest fire he's seen in the last decade. It's not clear how the fire started but local authorities are being assisted by the Ohio State Fire Marshal in the investigation. They will interview neighbors and employees as a part of that probe. Anyone with information on the fire can contact the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office by calling 419-332-2613. Schwochow said the fire likely started on the exterior of a building in the southwest corner of the property. Wind then pushed the fire toward the building, which subsequently ignited. One firefighter, who was operating a hydrant, suffered a hip injury and went to a local hospital. The firefighter has since been released, Schwochow said. After extinguishing the majority of the fire, some firefighters remained at the scene overnight to put out smaller fires, or "hot spots," as they popped up, Schwochow said. Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton said his department and the Erie County Sheriff's Office used drones to help firefighters coordinate in putting out hot spots. Townsend firefighters remained at the scene Thursday morning as several more hot spots needed to be extinguished. The 18 fire departments to respond were from Erie and Sandusky counties. A total of 75 firefighters were needed to combat the blaze. In addition to Townsend Township, the fire departments that responded to the scene include Clyde, Ballville, Lindsey, Margaretta, Sandusky Township, Green Springs, Gibsonburg, Groton Township, Berlin Heights, Milan, Harris-Elmore, Huron, Fremont, Woodville, Helena, Bay View and Bellevue. Schwochow and Hilton praised Erie and Sandusky County firefighters on the collaborative effort to put out the fire.