A fire at an abandoned downtown Ironton building has prompted Mayor Rich Blankenship to keep part of Third Street closed as a safety precaution.

“Third Street from Vernon Street to Park Avenue will remain closed because of the building’s instability after the fire,” Blankenship said. “It’s too hazardous for drivers and pedestrians. It’s leaning and very unstable.”

The building, which housed the former Glad Tidings bookstore between Fruth Pharmacy and Scherer Mountain Insurance, caught fire between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.