The former Purina Mills site on South Court caught fire Monday afternoon as a demolition crew worked to tear down the structure.

At 3:14 p.m., Circleville, OH Fire Department responded to the scene.

Black smoke, caused by burning rubber, rose from the highest remaining part of the structure, but the fire was contained.

The cause of the fire was accidental, according to Circleville Fire Chief Tim Tener.

Two men were in the structure using cutting torches to remove metal when they inadvertently began cutting on a rubber conveyer belt, which sparked the fire.

"There were two men in the structure. Initial reports were that they were trapped, but thankfully they were not. They were able to climb out themselves," Tener said.

Two units from Circleville Fire Department, as well one each from Pickaway and Green Townships responded to the incident.

The demolition crew working on the site is affiliated with property owner Angela M. Smith of Winchester, Adams County, and is currently working without a contractor's license.

The structure sustained heavy damage in a fire in February. The structure as it stands doesn't pose a public safety hazard, according to City Safety Director Terry Elliot, as long as the demolition is done correctly.

"Until we put some teeth into our building codes, there's nothing we can do about the situation," said Councilman David Martin. "It's frustrating and I don't know what to do about it. We just have to hope there are no more problems."

Other than not having a contractor's license, the crew has been in compliance with city building and safety codes and acquired all necessary permits.

Slow work and mechanical and financial problems have caused the work to progress slower than city officials would have liked and a 90-day deadline for demolition of the site recently passed with the job being only 50 percent complete.