The historic former Lange Hotel in West Alexandria, Preble County, was deemed a total loss and torn down after a fire on Saturday night. According to Ballton Chief Tom Smith of West Alexandria Fire and EMS, crews were dispatched for the fire around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The chief said the previous owner kept collectibles and so there was a large fire load within the building. Smith said the inside of the structure was deemed unsafe by the state fire marshalโs office years ago.
โWhen we arrived, we had heavy fire on the front of the structure,โ said Smith. โWe kept everyone outside of the structure and called in mutual aid.โ
