Around 6:30 Sunday night, the Fire Department found themselves in battle with a commercial structure fire on the 200 block of Avenue I South. Seven fire engines, one rescue unit, two aerial ladder trucks, and three fire investigation units responded. The plan was to soften the fire from the exterior before continuing the battle from the inside. But the blaze escalated and all crews inside were told to pull back. There was a partial collapse of the building; with arcing power lines, electrical boxes, and on-site propane tanks posing a threat. Multiple utilities were affected because of the fire. The police department set up traffic restrictions, which police reported shortly after four this morning, had been lifted. By eleven o’clock last night, fire crews were down to extinguishing hot sports and performing overhaul duties.

The matter is under investigation. Police are asking that anyone with information on the fire to call police or Crime Stoppers.