DEERFIELD TWP. — The operators of the “Night of Fright” haunted house several years ago were granted an extension on a deadline to install a sprinkler system. Early Friday, the building was heavily damaged by what officials are calling a suspicious fire.

        “The crews noticed heavy gasoline vapors when they entered the building,” township Fire Rescue Chief William Kramer said. “They've collected evidence in several spots throughout the structure.”

This popular haunted house near Fields Ertel Road in Deerfield Township looks even spookier after it caught fire in a suspected arson early Friday. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        He said firefighters found multiple points of fire ignition in the house and that a door to the building had been forced open. There were two separate fires in the building, about 60 feet apart.

        Firefighters were called to the house shortly before 3 a.m. Friday and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the top of the 50-year-old building.

        Brian Martin, who owns the business, did not return phone calls Friday.

        A damage estimate has not been set, and fire officials say they do not have a suspect or motive in the blaze.

        The haunted house, which has been in operation for at least three years, is at Escort Drive and Bardes Road near the Fields-Ertel interchange with Interstate 71.

        “It's highly popular, especially during the Halloween season,” Chief Kramer said.

        The business has been a sore spot for township fire and Warren County building officials, who in 1998 ordered that a sprinkler system be installed. Warren County issued the order following a request by Night of Fright to increase its capacity from 50 to 150, said Jerry Spurling, Warren County's chief building official.

        The business appealed the order, and Ohio's Board of Building Appeals granted a four-year extension for putting in the sprinkler system, Mr. Spurling said.

        Two Deerfield Township firefighters were treated for minor injuries. Mark Miller received a foot injury while on an aerial ladder and was treated at the scene. Jeff Wolfe sprained his wrist when he tripped, and was treated at Bethesda North Hospital and released.

        Fire crews from Mason, Loveland and Sycamore Township assisted Deerfield firefighters. It took about an hour to knock down the fire.

        Because of the layout of the house, including obstacles erected as part of Halloween scenes, fire crews fought the blaze from outside, entering the building only for cleanup.

        Officials from the township fire department and the state fire marshal's office are investigating.
       

Children's adds research space
West Chester flexes muscle
Best bet to find flu shot: stores
'Night of Fright' and fire
Cabaret theater coming to Newport complex
New United Way leader familiar face in Tristate
RAMSEY: Living history
Christian school's 2nd campus takes root, thrives
Mason gains another chunk
MCNUTT: Community art
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
Buckeye Egg facing fifth contempt filing
Court limits adult kids' ability to sue over parents' wrongful death
Covington man indicted in death of neighbor
Driver's condition critical after head-on crash
Elections panel to hear charge
Excellence rocks at Anderson H.S. rally
Fairfield assistant principal resigns over dispute with boss
Family says mutilated man was looking for cars
General Assembly schedule undecided
Justin to stay with Ohio couple trying to adopt
Licensure board drops complaint about review
Louisville firm weighs starting a water taxi
Man found fatally shot was accused of having sex with a minor
Pardon asked for preacher
Politicking banned at Baptist meetings
Some criticize plan to move mentally retarded
Teen-ager hit while in jail, suit alleges
Thousands send gifts across globe
Unfinished business haunts Bosnia anniversary gathering
Voting problems subject of hearings
Witnesses contradict police over shooting
Woman convicted in mother's death
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report