On Monday morning, March 4, 2002, shortly before 6 a.m., the baker at Buns reported for work, and found the building to be on fire. Firefighters from the Delaware, Orange, Liberty, Tri-Township and Scioto fire departments fought bitter-cold temperatures as they tried in vain to extinguish the blaze. Onlookers from Delaware watched the conflagration in disbelief, many with tears in their eyes, as a large piece of Delaware's history went up in smoke.

Photos by Matt Emmons of The Delaware Gazette

Firefighters poured water on the building with as many as six hoses at a time, including two from aerial ladders, as city workers distributed salt along the street and front of the building to try to keep ice from forming in the 7° temperatures. At least one fireman slipped on ice, and was injured. Smoke from the fire filled the entire downtown, and could be seen from miles away. The firemen did an excellent job, however, of containing the blaze to Buns Restaurant.

To make matters worse, the cause of the fire was later determined to be arson. A $5,000 reward has been offered by the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for anyone providing information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting the blaze. The fire apparently started in the front of the dining room.

Photos by Matt Emmons of The Delaware Gazette

Buns Restaurant was purchased about four years ago by Vasili Konstantinidis, who vows to rebuild the historic structure. The building was erected in 1888. It is unclear at this point whether or not the facade, which remains standing, is structurally sound or must be torn down. Estimates for the rebuilding have been set at over a million dollars.

Other local businesses have been affected as well. Smoke and water damage from the fire have destroyed inventory, and caused the closing of at least two stores nearby. Inventory at "The Stitch Stops Here", owned by local businesswoman Emily Dietz, was severly permeated by the smell of smoke, and is being aired out at her home. The store remains closed. Inventory at Connie Hoffman's "Essentials by C.C. Hoffman" was also permeated by the smell of smoke, and amounted to a loss of $200,000, although Hoffman's insurance will cover her stock and the cleaning costs. Winter Street remains closed between Franklin Street and Sandusky Street, which may also affect business for those stores within the block.

Five apartment dwellers, who lived in the building adjacent to the second level of Buns, were made homeless by the fire. Smoke and water damage made those units unliveable.