Fire destroys central Toledo tavern

11/2/2009

A central Toledo bar was destroyed by a fire Sunday morning, after flames that started on the second floor spread to engulf the building, authorities said.

After the fire, city crews demolished what was left of the B & J Cafe, 574 Tecumseh St., Battalion Chief Bob Krause said.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m., and the first units arriving on the scene were met by heavy smoke.

The fire was suspicious, Chief Krause said, but any chance of gathering evidence was lost in the demolition work.

The property was worth about $30,200 and owned by Catherine A. Hague of Toledo, county records showed.

Ms. Hague purchased the property for $32,000 in April, 2008.