"The Flames Were Crazy!" Fire Destroys Closed NORCO Plant in Norwood, Ohio

Witnesses said the NORCO fire was first reported as smoke from an abandoned Norwood, Ohio building. That was around 9:00 PM. By 9:30 the fire was out of control. The flames were visible to cars traveling along nearby Route 562. Motorists began slowing down to watch.

Videographer, Greg Reese, was in one of those cars. He smelled the smoke first, then rolled down his car window and saw the fire. He drove to the next exit. "Fist I saw mostly big plumes of smoke and a few small flames," he said. "As I got closer to Section Rd. I could see all those big flames."

Capturing the NORCO Fire on Digital Video

Temperatures were below freezing, still a growing crowd of bystanders stood in an adjacent lot. Many just wanted to watch the firemen at work. Others were like Greg. They were drawn to the flames. They used cameras and cell phones to personally document the fire while Norwood and Cincinnati fire companies struggled to put out the flames.

He stood as close to the abandoned NORCO plant as Fire Department officials would allow. He asked questions. He snapped photos. He spoke to 14 year old Dina Clark and her mother, Melissa Tittle. Dina talked about being there during the fire's early stages. She called it "A lot of smoke and fire."

Greg captured a digital video of the flames as they rose what he estimated to be three stories high into the night sky. "The flames were crazy," he said. Crazy! That's what he said while his camera was still rolling. He captured video of a NORCO wall collapsing about 10 minutes later.

A Brief NORCO History

The plant has been closed for a year, but the company website is still on line. It has information about NORCO's history. Norwood Sash and Door Company opened its doors in 1898. Originally the plant manufactured pre-cut homes as a division of Sears Roebuck & Company. In 1945 Charles Klekamp and William Schmale purchased the business. Until they closed their doors in December 2009, the company produced custom wood products for commercial home builders. They also operated a lumber yard at the location.

The NORCO site is located in Norwood, Ohio. The city has the unique situation of being located completely within the Cincinnati city limits. That meant fire companies from a number of Cincinnati locations were able to respond with rapid assistance.

NORCO Department of Development Cleanup Grants Pending

Since NORCO closed it's Norwood plant in 2009, the property has remained vacant. In November 2010 the site was named as one of 14 Ohio locations designated to receive Clean Ohio Revitalization Funds. According to the Ohio Department of Development website, The City of Norwood was to use the $730,600 grant for asbestos abatement and demolition of the vacant NORCO buildings.

The city's plans for the site's future include two 20,000 square foot office buildings. Future tenants from the building have already committed to building occupancy and future jobs.

Firemen were still fighting the blaze at 10:25 when Greg packed up his camera and left the scene. There was still a lot of activity going on, but he needed to get home to upload his video.

Source:
Witness: Greg Reese
Fire Video: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-534201

Ohio Department of Development website:

http://www.development.ohio.gov/newsroom/2010PR/November/8.htm

NORCO website:

http://www.norwoodsd.com/about.ht