Historic Dayton mansion destroyed in overnight fire

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) -- A historic mansion listed on Dayton's most endangered properties caught fire early Sunday morning.

The fire happened at about 3 a.m. at the Louis Traxler Mansion at 42 Yale Avenue, according to a social media post by Preservation Dayton.

Pictures from the scene show the mansion is a total loss.

"We're heartbroken it was so close to being saved. For several years, PDI has been monitoring the building, getting it re-boarded, and ushering it through the tax foreclosure process. We had viable buyers lined up, and it was scheduled to be sold at sheriff's sale on May 4th," said Preservation Dayton.

Built in 1911 for Louis and Adeline Traxler, president of the Traxler Department Store, this Flemish Chateauesque style building stood out in the Dayton View Historic District, according to PDI's website.

The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places individually in 1979 and again in 1984 as part of the district.

The house is a larger version of the Leo Flesh Mansion in Piqua, which was built in 1907.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

It remains under investigation.