A raging three-alarm fire caused extensive damage to a Northside business early this morning.

Firemen pour water on a Northside foundry that burned early Sunday. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        The fire broke out shortly after midnight at Willard Industries, an aluminum foundry at 1253 Knowlton St.

        Witnesses said parts of a warehouse roof and at least one of the warehouse walls collapsed shortly before 1 a.m. Damage estimates were unavailable. No injuries were reported.

        Witness Gina MacDougall of Northside lives one block from the foundry.

        “When I first came out here, there was a big old column of black smoke,” Ms. MacDougall said. “It was as black as a black leather jacket, and the flames were the color of orange soda pop.”

        By 1 a.m. dozens of Cincinnati firefighters had adopted a defensive measure in an effort to control the inferno. The fire was declared under control by 2 a.m., although fire crews were expected to be on the scene throughout the night.

        Willard Industries is one block west of Spring Grove Cemetery, near Dane Avenue.

        It is the second major fire to occur at Willard Industries in less than five months. On Sept. 10, a five-alarm fire destroyed the eastern portion of the business enterprise, causing an estimated $700,000 damage.

        The fire spared the actual foundry at that time.

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