Richard Gruber, a security officer with Deibold, examines the burned out Fifth Third branch. (Michael Snyder photos) | ZOOM |

        TRENTON — Demolition crews have begun clearing the Fifth Third Bank site at 805 W. State St. after the branch was destroyed by fire that broke out in the middle of the banking day Tuesday.

        “We're going to rebuild as quickly as we can,” Fifth Third spokeswoman Stacie Haas said. “The good news was that nobody was hurt and all the money and the contents of the safe deposit boxes is safe.”

        There is no timetable for the bank's reconstruction. The 15 to 20 employees will either work on the rebuilding effort or be sent to other branches until the branch reopens, Ms. Haas said.

Mr. Gruber checks the operation of an ATM machine. (Michael Snyder photos) | ZOOM |

        Bank employees are calling safe-deposit box customers to let them know that their valuables are being protected. The boxes will be relocated while the branch is rebuilt, Ms. Haas said.

        Meanwhile, a mobile ATM temporarily will be located at the Trenton site. Customers also are being directed to Fifth Third branches at City Centre in Middletown or in the Kroger store on Liberty-Fairfield Road in Liberty Township.

        Fire investigators determined that the blaze was sparked by a cigarette butt discarded into the mulch of a flowerbed. The fire spread to a hollow decorative column and into the bank's attic, Trenton fire officials said.

        Trenton firefighters arrived about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday to find fire on the bank's roof and heavy smoke inside. The people in the building were outside when firefighters arrived.

        Monroe firefighters assisted Trenton crews.

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