Fire at former Helping Hands center in Trotwood being investigated as suspicious

UPDATE @ 10:25 p.m.: The fire that broke out Thursday night at the former site of the Helping Hands Community Outreach Center is considered suspicious, fire officials said.

The commercial property at 5499 W. Third St. was vacant and had no utilities. However, there were reports of multiple squatters who may have been using the building, fire officials said.

>> FEMA denies Dayton woman not once, but 6 times after tornado damages home

No injuries were reported.

There were smoke and flames coming from the building when the fire was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m., but Jefferson Twp. firefighters were first on scene and quickly knocked down the blaze.

Trotwood police put yellow tape up around the property.

UPDATE @ 9 p.m.

Multiple fire crews responded tonight to a report of a fire at the former Helping Hands Community Outreach Center.

West Third Street is closed from Davenport Avenue to Infirmary Road following the incident reported around 8:30 p.m. at 5499 W. Third St. in Trotwood.

We have a crew on scene and will update this report.

FIRST REPORT

Crews have been dispatched on a report of a fire in a commercial structure in the 5400 block of West Third Street in Trotwood.

The incident was called out about 8:24 p.m. and it has been moved up to a second alarm.

We have a crew on the way. We will update this developing report as we learn more.

If you have a news tip, call our 24-hour line at 937-259-2237 or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com 

About the Author