A fire at the vacant former Rite Aid building in Lebanon gained some attention from Lebanon Fire District early in the morning on Monday, Jan. 19.
When firefighters responded, they found the fire was beginning to burn up the side of the building, with a possibility it was entering the inside of the building, as well. The battalion chief also found fire inside two large wheeled plastic trash bins and consuming bushes alongside the building.
LFD reported the building’s sprinkler system was activated, which helped keep the fire from getting bigger until firefighters were able to arrive. Bystanders in the area who saw the fire called 911 and then pulled the burning bins and some debris away from the building.
It was discovered the trash bins were full of belongings and being used as storage containers near the building.
Firefighters used the aerial ladder to access the roof and entered the building to make a thorough search of the building. No fire was found inside.
It is believed the fire started from unhoused individuals using the area around the bushes for sleeping.