A four-alarm fire hit a mixed commercial and residential building on Monroe Avenue early this morning.
The fire just before 2:00 am hit a large two-story brick building at 649 Monroe Avenue, sending a pillar of smoke up into the night. A second and third alarm were called within minutes because of the amount of smoke and flame coming from the building, followed by the fourth alarm when more manpower was needed.
The building housed three store fronts and four apartments with a total of five residents above. They were unable to escape because fire had engulfed the stairs, and firefighters rescued all of them with ladders. Multiple pets were also rescued.
Firefighters had to fight the flames from outside because the building structure was compromised. It took 15 fire companies and 75 personnel about three-and-a-half hours to bring the massive fire under control. They were able to keep it from spreading to neighboring buildings.
The Red Cross is assisting the residents, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.