But Fire Chief Robert Wright said flames had engulfed Davis and Son Pallet, at 3662 Brotherton Road, by the time firefighters arrived Monday night, and the city brownouts did not contribute to additional damage.

"What was done was done before they got there," Wright said.

The business was about two or three blocks from an Oakley firehouse, where an engine company was idle. So another had to be sent from a Madisonville firehouse, which union officials said added minutes to the firefighters' arrival.

Wright and City Manager Valerie Lemmie last month ordered the rotating closures of fire companies at six firehouses to prevent the department from overspending its budget by $2 million by year's end. The move has been sharply criticized by union members, who say it endangers them and residents.

"A fire doubles every minute," said Doug Stern, spokesman for Cincinnati Firefighters Local No. 48. "It would have only been two or three minutes for the Oakley fire engine company to respond. This is precisely what we have been warning about. It's unfortunate someone had to lose their business to serve as an illustration."

The fire at the 43-year-old business, where wooden pallets are made or reworked, caused $100,000 damage but did not close the company. The cause has not been determined.

At issue is how long it took firefighters to respond to the fire, first reported as an outdoor fire at 8:33 p.m. Wright said it took firefighters three minutes to get to the scene. The union said it took five minutes.

The business owner, Derrick "Rick" Davis Sr. , said he partly blames damage on the brownout. He has insurance that will cover the damage.

In a previous fire, Davis said flames shot as high as 75 feet and firefighters were able to contain it to one area because they came from the Oakley firehouse.

"All of it couldn't have been saved because it was a big fire, but part of the damages could have been eliminated," Davis said. "These fire departments are put in certain areas for certain reasons."

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E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com