Smoke and flames shoot from Gina’s Drive Thru at 1147 Pennsylvania Ave. in East Liverpool’s East End on Sunday. The fire was the latest in a string of such incidents in the city. Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith said the building was a total loss. (Photos submitted by Concetta Franczek)

EAST LIVERPOO­L ­–East Liverpool Fire Fighters responded to their third fire call in just a little over a week on Sunday morning.

Firefighters were called out at 10:08 a.m., to a structure fire at Gina’s Drive Thru, located in the East End at 1147 Pennsylvania Ave.

In addition to East Liverpool Fire Department, North Star Critical Care responded with two ambulances with two personnel for each for medical standby.

Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith said he was one of the first on the scene. As firefighters were pulling out of the station, East Liverpool Police advised that police units already on the scene reported flames through the roof.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke coming through the roof of the building. The fire was well involved in the drive-through section of the building.

The fire was under control at 1:45 p.m., with the firefighters using water from a hydrant which supplied water to the ladder truck and two hand lines on the building’s interior. Firefighters cleared the scene at 2:04 p.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue was shut down while firefighters worked to put out the fire. The road reopened as soon as the scene was cleared.

There were no injuries to the occupant of the building or firefighters.

Smith said the drive through was open for business when the fire started and there was one person inside working when the fire broke out. The employee was the one who noticed the fire, evacuated the building and called the fire department.

The building is a total loss. Smith said. Approximate property value is still to be determined.

The fire is under investigation with cause not known. Smith noted there was nothing suspicious about the fire.

The state fire marshal will be at the site on Monday.

Southern Columbiana County has experienced six fires in 10 days ­–three in St. Clair Township and three in East Liverpool.

Smith said, despite the high number of recent fires, there is no reason to believe they are connected.

“There is no indication that there is an arsonist running around,” Smith said. “We just believe it is unfortunate circumstances. It’s odd yes, but there is no connection to any of them. There’s nothing like that, it’s just unfortunate circumstances.”

Smith said all indications for each fire lead to them being accidental with nothing suspicious noted. They are undetermined and being investigated which is procedure.

“There is no firebug going around, we don’t have an arsonist running around,” Smith reiterated. “Yes, it has been a crazy week, but none are connected. None seem suspicious. It’s just unfortunate fires going around right now, that’s all.”

Kgarabrandt@mojonews.com