Morenci and Fayette fire departments both played key roles in fighting the devastating downtown Wauseon fire Saturday—as did most every other department within a 30-mile radius.

“It was a huge effort,” said Morenci chief Chad Schisler. “I’ve never seen so many fire trucks in my life. It was the biggest fire I’ve ever been on.”

Fayette chief Tom Franks agrees, thinking back to other large fires such as the Gambles store in Morenci and previous Wauseon fires.

The Fayette department was called for help at 2:30 a.m., less than a half hour from when the first Wauseon unit arrived on the scene. A Wauseon police officer on routine patrol noticed flames in Doc Holliday’s restaurant about 2 a.m. Saturday.