East Cleveland Mayor Orders Building Demolition

Mayor Sandra Morgan of East Cleveland ordered the emergency demolition of a vacant three-story building on Friday, following a fire that destroyed the structure for the second time in recent weeks.

Firefighters from East Cleveland and neighboring communities contained the blaze on Euclid Avenue near Van Buren Road. The building, which has been owned by the city land bank since 2023, dates back to 1915. Smoke was first visible just after 4 p.m. Friday, with flames initially emerging from windows at the rear corner before breaching the roof.

Morgan, who was working at City Hall, observed the fire from her office window. She described the scene as the most intense fire she had witnessed in her life. The normally heavy traffic on Euclid Avenue was blocked while crews fought the flames.

Tammora Reed, who works across the street, said the empty building frequently attracts people smoking inside. She noted that fires often result from accidental ignition or intentional acts by occupants. Reed expressed concern that an unhoused person could enter the unstable structure and perish.

Fire authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. The city cited the building's location on the busy Euclid Avenue corridor as a primary safety risk. Morgan stated that the structure must come down immediately.

The mayor confirmed the demolition order to the public, emphasizing the danger posed by the remaining structure. City officials are moving forward with the plan to remove the building from the corridor.