The fire appears to have started in the building, which state fire investigators said was "locked and secured" at the time of the fire, said Shane Cartmill, public information officer, division of the state fire marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce. The case is officially being ruled "undetermined," Cartmill said.
No injuries were reported as the business was not open -- in keeping with its regular schedule of being closed on Monday nights.
Flames broke through the roof and caused extensive smoke damage on each side of the building, including the New Bremen Coffee Shop and a barber shop. Joe Collins, a chef at LaPiazza Restaurant, a half-block away, called 9-1-1 after first thinking his eatery was on fire.
New Bremen firefighters called for mutual aid from at least five surrounding fire departments in an effort to keep the fire contained to the one building. Chief Bob Kuck said no money estimate of the damage was available.
The building is owned by Crown Equipment Corp. in New Bremen. According to the county auditor's records, the building is valued at $136,000.
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