GEORGETOWN, Ohio — Those who live in town, or who live nearby, came here Tuesday morning to stand and gaze at all that was left of a slice of history in this village.

        Even 24 hours later, the faint, acrid smell of burning wood could be detected even at the edge of the historic business district, which had a large chunk destroyed early Monday morning by fire.

Georgetown firefighter Brian Neal and News-Democrat reporter Jennifer Hart retrieve bricks Tuesday from the remains of the newspaper office. (Dick Swaim photos) | ZOOM |

        Evelyn Thompson stood just across the street and looked at the gutted block of South Main Street and the Citifinancial building where she worked 30 years ago, when it was called City Savings and Loan.

        “They can rebuild them, but they'll never be the same,” said Ms. Thompson, who lives in Hamersville.

        The fire here destroyed four buildings dating to the mid-1800s, displaced six families who had been tenants of upstairs apartments and caused more than $1 million in damage. Investigators from the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office are searching for a cause to the fire.

        What had been part of the town's charm was reduced to a blackened shell by Tuesday morning. The four buildings housed law offices, Citifinancial and the town's newspaper, The News Democrat.

Evelyn Thompson of Hamersville used to work in the Citifinancial building that was destroyed in the fire. | ZOOM |

        Ray Becraft, the village administrator, predicted that what is left of the building would probably have to be razed. First, he said, owners need to get together with insurance adjusters, and engineers need to check out the structural damage of the buildings.

        “Probably have to raze the whole thing,” said Mr. Becraft, who watched from under a white hard hat as Georgetown firefighters on an aerial ladder trained a fire hose on smoldering hot spots.

        The staff of The News Democrat relocated to a sister paper, the People's Defender in West Union, about 25 miles to the east in Adams County.

        One reporter, Jennifer Hart, who has been with the paper since June, covered the fire and worked from a laptop out of the First United Methodist Church at South Main and State streets.

        With help from firefighters, she was able to salvage what was left of a trophy and some photographs from the charred remains of The News Democrat.

Dan Edmisten and Julia Richmond prepare for Thursday's edition of the Georgetown News-Democrat in the offices of another newspaper in West Union, Ohio. | ZOOM |

        “How can you replace that?” asked Mayor John Jandes, in a protective jumpsuit, as he stood in front of what is now a cavity in the historic district. “That's why we're so devastated.”

        Bob Campbell, with the Cincinnati chapter of American Red Cross, said the agency worked with those tenants who were dis placed by the fire. All found a place to stay with relatives, he said.

        Cliff and Pam Guther have lived in Georgetown for more than 25 years. They stood at a corner of the Brown County Courthouse.

        “We grew up around here,” Mr. Guther said. “It's a shame. It's a downright shame.”

        Said Mrs. Guther: “I'm sure they'll rebuild. But it won't be the same. It makes me feel like crying.”

        “She did cry last night,” her husband said.
       

Shirey a finalist for new job in Texas
Lawmakers in Ohio set agenda
Levy generosity: The bills are now due
Cincinnati should lead off ballpark-stamps lineup
Onlookers mourn city's loss
Boy held in death of Northside girl, 13
Electric room heaters could reduce bills
UC to build new 'Sander'
Villa Hills should end turmoil
Heroic acts often defy reason
ACLU weighs suit on profiling
Another rate hike in pipeline
Aquifer's future a concern
Blue Grass Airport 'loses' runway
Bunning decries labor contributions
Clermont watches water
Gov. Patton prayer event leaves some out
Historic log building leveled; Landmark's end angers residents
Kenton Dems get new boss
Kenton to defend tax increase
Miami male athletes lose discrimination claim
PSC wants quicker gas-cost changes
Publishing morgue photos a worry
School funding solution continues to be elusive
Seizure aboard TANK bus raises concerns about safety
Stepmom cites boy's tearful admission
Tax abatement granted
U.S. revolution museum plans $3M expansion
Utilities ordered to file changes monthly
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report