A fire on Wednesday evening badly damaged the Hough Health Clinic, while another Thursday hit two houses.
CLEVELAND – Two major fires broke out in Cleveland in less than 24 hours: A fire on Wednesday night severely damaged a popular health clinic, while another Thursday hit two homes.
Over on the east side those Three Alert Fire at Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services (NEON Health) Hough Health Center made the building unusable.
“A lot of people are addicted to this clinic,” Curtis Wilson, a Hough resident, told 3News. “The parking lot was full every day.”
With more than 240 employees since opening in 1974, NEON has provided vital services to residents of Hough – such as adult medicine, pediatrics, optometry, dentistry, behavioral health, and even COVID-19 vaccines – regardless of solvency.
“When you see the place you work, the place you serve others, in a situation like this, it’s very shocking and emotional,” said Karen Butler, NEON’s chief operating officer.
3News’ January Keaton reported on the situation earlier Thursday:
The apparently electric fire, which started around 9:30 p.m., devastated the second floor and roof by burning through a false ceiling inside and traversing the HVAC system. The building had no sprinkler system, and Cleveland firefighters tore through layers of the clinic to put out the fire and get into the facility.
Fortunately, there were no staff on site at the time, and the clinic says all COVID vaccines have been saved.
“As soon as we get more information and of course the final report, we can better determine how long [we’ll be out]”Butler explained.” Because we have such a large network, we can direct patients to other places nearby. We appeal to our patient population, especially those for whom appointments have been scheduled. “
Almost 24 hours later, just after 7 p.m. Thursday on the West Side, another fire began on Sackett Avenue and West 34th Street. The Cleveland Division of Fire said it started in one house and then spread next door.
According to fire chief Angelo Calvillo, 45 firefighters were called to the scene but did not report any injuries.
“We can’t confirm that no one was inside. Basically we’re saying it’s free, but it’s still being investigated,” Calvillo said. “Right now we have investigators on the ground to determine the cause and origin.”
