Florence Fire investigators are looking into cause of a fire that destroyed one building and slightly damaged an adjacent apartment building early Sunday morning, Dec. 7. The offices of Emergence Treatment at 1932 Pine Street were destroyed and the law offices of Scott Bailey and D. Ron Gerber sustained heavy smoke and water damage, but Gerber said their files were intact. The building is reportedly a total loss. Fire crews were able to limit damage to an adjacent apartment building. Units first on the scene at 6:30 AM said flames were shooting out a back window, directly toward a retail and apartment combination owned by Stecker and Vanessa Buss. Stringent fire codes and a valiant effort by firefighters prevented worse damage. Investigators said the fire in Emergence appears to have started near the electrical panel. However, arson investigators from the Oregon State Police were called in to help determine the cause. No damage estimates have been released and nobody was injured.
