Fire in Old South End destroys vacant former funeral home

Toledo firefighters battle a blaze suspected to be arson at the former Tate Funeral Service on Broadway. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Demolition of the former Tate Funeral Service and an adjacent structure in the 1000 block of Broadway after a fire ripped through the vacant buildnig. The fire is being investigated as arson. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

A vacant building on Broadway in the Old South End formerly occupied by Tate Funeral Service was destroyed by fire Sunday.

Damage was estimated at $100,000, Luis Santiago, assistant Toledo fire chief, said.

He said the blaze, which had multiple points of origin, is being investigated as an arson.

Firefighters were dispatched to the building at 1003 Broadway at 12:55 p.m.

With as many as six hoses on the fire at once, they finished putting out the blaze shortly before 3:30 p.m. and began demolishing the former Tate building along with an adjacent building that also was vacant.

No one was injured.

Ron Fry, 46, said he was sitting on his porch across the street at 934 Broadway when he saw smoke and fire.

He said he called 911 right away.

His sister-in-law Mary Mowrey, 43, was on her way to his house from Jervis Street when she was stopped by the firefighters.

"I saw the windows breaking out," she said.

Investigators are interviewing witnesses, Andre Tiggs, Toledo fire investigator, said.