COLUMBUS, Ohio – An intense fire has engulfed a West Side bar, knocking out power to several hundred people and forcing the closure of two Columbus City Schools buildings.
Fire broke out at approximately 3:30 a.m. at Holderby’s Tavern, 2756 Sullivant Avenue, and was already widespread before crews arrived on the scene Firefighters went into defensive mode temporarily and evacuated because of the danger of a roof collapse.
The Columbus City Schools closed Hilltonia Middle School and West Mound Elementary School as a result of a power outage caused by the fire.
American Electric Power reported about 2,700 customers were without power shortly after 6:00 a.m. and predicted the electricity might be out until 11:30 a.m..