Paulding fire guts Paulding landmark

PAULDING – An empty downtown Paulding landmark was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon.

The Old Barnes Motel was a total loss from the fire, while several adjacent buildings were also damaged in the blaze.

Several fire departments provided manpower and equipment to help battle the fire. Assistant Paulding Fire Department were departments from Van Wert, Defiance, Sherwood, Delaware Township, Auglaize Township, Cecil/Crane Township, Payne, Oakwood and Woodburn, Ind.

Other county departments were put on stand-by, while several Allen County (Ind.) departments were standing by to assist Woodburn.

The latest figures from the Paulding County Auditor’s Office indicate the building was worth approximately $53,000. Cause of the fire is unknown at this time and investigators from the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office have been called in to assist in the investigation.