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Papa's Tavern in east Toledo damaged by fire just hours after being cited by agents for violating COVID-19 rules

Flames were seen around 1:30 a.m. and the pub suffered extensive damage. Ohio Investigative Unit members earlier observed overcrowding.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo firefighters are investigating what sparked a fire at Papa's Tavern early Friday morning, just hours after the bar was cited by Ohio Investigative Unit agents for not complying with COVID-19 rules.

The tavern received a citation for improper conduct - disorderly activity. At 8:35 p.m., agents said they observed more than 75 patrons in the bar and about15 patrons in an enclosed patio. Agents said patrons were standing while consuming alcohol and were not social distancing. 

Agents were unable to walk through the permit premises and maintain social distancing and they observed bar employees not properly wearing masks. 

Bar owner Tim Stahl said he had patrons in the bar for New Year's Eve when around 8:30 or 8:45 p.m. it became crowded, and the Ohio Investigative Unit showed up. 

Stahl said he was “grateful” agents came because he knew he was over capacity and wanted help closing. He asked agents if they could help him with the crowding situation, and recorded the agents as they were in his bar. 

"I kept the whole way through asking them, 'Please, please can you help me? Can you help me? I have too many customers, can you help me get some people out of here?' They wouldn't help me at all, they just got in their vehicles and took off," Stahl said.  

Ohio Investigative Unit enforcement Commander Eric Wolf says their unit doesn't have the power to help a business like a bar or restaurant close.

"A lot of it goes back to the responsibility of the permit holder," Wolf said, "they need to do everything they can to try and prevent these situations before they happen."

VIDEO FROM TIM STAHL OF OIU AGENTS AT PAPA'S TAVERN

After that, Stahl said he called Toledo police's non-emergency line and was told the crowding situation was not in their jurisdiction to assist with. 

The fire was spotted around 1:30 a.m., as firefighters say heavy flames were coming from the rear of the building that houses the eastside pub. The engine company on scene said the fire was observed in an apartment over Papa's Tavern. 

Search crews entered the building to search for occupants in the apartments over the tavern, with an all-clear given at 1:46 a.m.

Papa's Tavern suffered extensive damage to the back of the building, including the patio.

Everyone living in and near the building were able to make it out safely and no one was hurt.

According to Toledo fire, the loss estimate is $50,000 for property loss and $30,000 for contents. 

The fire was deemed under control 2:15 a.m. and fire crews assisted the occupants in retrieving personal items.

Stahl says he hopes Toledo Fire finds out what caused this but does plan to rebuild.

"Papa's is kind of like an icon on the east side. It's been here for a long time," he said. "I've been here 15 years and really want everyone to know we're ok."

The Red Cross was contacted to assist with four adults and one child.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation, the fire department said Friday afternoon.

Credit: WTOL 11

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