MILFORD — The Tristate's rash of major fires in 2002 continued Thursday afternoon when a building housing two apartments and an advertising agency went up in flames.

Standing on the roof of a rear addition, Milford firefighters battle smoke and flames Thursday. A building housing an advertising business and two apartments was extensively damaged. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        There were no injuries, but the fire destroyed the upper floor of the two-story building and caused smoke damage to the rest. No dollar loss has been set, but damage was extensive.

        The five people in the business and two people in one of the apartments all escaped.

        Pullman and Associates was housed in the lower floor of the building at 632 Main St. in downtown Milford. Fire officials said the blaze started in the rear second-floor apartment, but they had not determined a cause.

        The fire broke out about 3:15 p.m. and firefighters remained on the scene into Thursday night.

        “We had multiple phone calls,” Milford Community Fire Chief John Cooper said. “We had extensive fire ... as we arrived.”

        The fire could be seen from Interstate 275 and heavy smoke drifted through downtown Milford for hours.

        Fire companies from Loveland and Miami Township assisted Milford crews.

        David Pullman bought the building in 1985 and moved his advertising business into it late that year.

        He paced, talked with employees and watched as firefighters battled the stubborn, smoky fire.

        “It was a nice building,” he said. “We completely redid it.”

        He and his employees were in their office Thursday when someone from a nearby business ran in and said the building was on fire.

        “We didn't smell or see a thing,” said Gail Eschmeyer, who works for the agency. “It went fast. It's very scary, and very sad.”
       

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