Crews have begun demolishing the Magnolia Street apartment building where two city firefighters died in a fire Jan. 26.

Work began on the site at 528 Magnolia St. in North Toledo around 5 p.m..

The destruction comes just days after a Lucas County judge lifted an order that prohibited demolition of what remains of the building. The owner, Ray Abou-Arab, 61, of 1311 Sierra Drive, Oregon is charged with setting the fatal fire. 

Mr. Abou-Arab faces two counts of aggravated murder, each with death penalty specifications; two counts of murder, eight counts of aggravated arson, and one count of tampering with evidence stemming from the fire that killed Toledo fire Pvts. Stephen Machcinski, 42, and James Dickman, 31.

First Published July 14, 2014, 10:14 p.m.