Staff photo / Jeffery A. Wilson The former Harry Stevens home at 1210 Robbins Ave., Niles, was destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon. Nearby residents reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by smoke and flames. The home eventually collapsed and is a total loss.

NILES — One of the city’s most historic homes located off Robbins Avenue is gone after being destroyed Thursday afternoon by a fire.

Niles fire crews were called out shortly after 3 p.m. to what originally came in as a call about a loud explosion and then soon became a fully engulfed fire at the former Harry Stevens home on the corner of Robbins and Crandon avenues.

Fire Chief John Stevens said when crews arrived at the scene at 1210 Robbins Ave., there was heavy smoke and fire showing from the large home.

“We had received calls of a loud explosion at 3:07 p.m. in the area and then saw the smoke and the fully engulfed house fire,” Stevens said.

He said there was a lot of glass at the property. He said no one was injured, and everyone associated with the house was accounted for, noting the house is a total loss.

Fire crews were still at the scene Thursday night.

Stevens said the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and Dominion East Ohio were called to the scene as the cause of the fire is under investigation. He said it may have been a gas explosion, but that has not been determined officially.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE

The 1800s two-story home with a wraparound porch, outdoor balcony and carport at one time was the home of Harry Stevens, who was known as the ”Hot Dog King” for popularizing the hot dog.

An annual summer event, Harry Stevens Day, celebrates the famous Niles resident, who also invented the baseball scorecard, among other items.

Debbie Barber, one of the organizers of Harry Stevens Day, said she was devastated when she received news about the fire.

“This is such a loss. That house was amazing. I had been inside once and was always amazed how beautiful the home was. The woodworking and flooring were beautiful. The rooms in the house were huge,” she said.

Barber, who was out of town Thursday, said she had received many calls and texts from people in Niles telling her what happened.

“Everyone I have communicated with is devastated. This is devastating for the city of Niles. That house was a very historical part of Niles and a major community landmark. It was a part of history from the era,” Barber said.

Barber said the house was sold earlier this year, and the owners were making renovations, which was confirmed by the fire chief. She said the Robbins family built the home and Harry Stevens’ family lived in it in the early 1900s.

Ralph Tolbert, a Niles Historical Society member, said the loss of the house is devastating as the city’s historic homes are becoming fewer. He said the home was as important as the Ward Thomas House and the Waddell mansion.

“We have lost another important landmark,” he said.

Tolbert said the Stevens family purchased the home around 1911.

Niles Historical Society member Sandra Bilovesky, who lives on a nearby street, said she was told by neighbors they heard a very loud boom sound that shook houses several streets away.

“The fire was huge. It was such a beautiful house and work was being done to restore it,” she said.

Harry Stevens, who built a business empire in stadium concessions, bought the house in 1911. It was later acquired by his only daughter, Annie Stevens Rose, who lived in the house for many years. A local Realtor, Jesse Scott, purchased the house in 1990 and had recently sold it.

Scott sold the house to Cory M. McClain in May for $70,000, according to the Trumbull County Auditor’s website, which shows McClain sold the house in November for $83,500 to Katherine L. McClain.

The house had a full basement and attic and was comprised of 16 rooms, eight of which were bedrooms. It had a finished living area of 4,916 square feet, according to the auditor’s website.