Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus firefighters work at the scene of a “sign” fire at CVS Pharmacy on State Road 46 near Westwood Drive on the west side at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday.
A sign on the CVS Pharmacy on Columbus’ west side was damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon, initially reported as a structure fire that resulted in several Columbus Fire Department engine companies being sent to the store.
The preliminary damage report is estimated at between $5,000 and $10,000, firefighters said.
Emergency dispatchers received the first call at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday that the store, located at 4495 State Road 46 West, was on fire, with later reports that the roof was on fire.
But when Columbus police and firefighters arrived at the retailer next to Westwood Drive, the fire was mostly confined around the “S” of the letters “CVS,” located below the roofline.
Once a ladder truck was used to removed the damaged letter, fire damage could be seen on the gray façade that held the letters, as well as to the awning below the sign.
However, the damage was kept to exterior cosmetic parts of the store and there were no injuries, Columbus Fire Department spokesman Capt. Mike Wilson said.
After the burned letter was taken down, Columbus police kept Westwood Drive closed to allow investigators to better examine the evidence, Wilson said.
Early reports indicate the fire may have started in a trash can in front of the store, which ignited the cloth awning and allowed the flames to reach up to the letter.
But Wilson said it hasn’t been completely determined whether the trash can was the origin. If that determination is made, an investigation will continue into whether the trash was accidentally or deliberately set on fire.
