An arson sign was posted at the fire scene Monday.

From the Paulding Fire Department:

On Jan. 15, 2012, the Paulding Fire Department was encoded to a structure fire at the old Barnes Hotel [formerly the Rusty Nail] located at 110 S. Williams St.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 1:54 p.m. to find the first story fully involved.

Paulding firefighters were assisted by the Payne, Cecil, Auglaize, Oakwood, Sherwood, Defiance City, Van Wert City and the Delaware Township fire departments.

Also assisting at the scene were the Paulding and Oakwood EMS, Paulding Police Department, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Village of Paulding Street Department, Ohio Department of Transportation, American Electric Power and the state fire marshal’s office.

The fire was contained to the hotel and is a 100 percent loss.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 11 p.m.

The fire has been ruled an arson and Paulding Fire Department will be assisted by the Paulding Police Department and the state fire marshal’s office in the investigation.

– Todd Weidenhamer, Fire Chief