Fire damages commercial building in Suffolk; two displaced
SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Suffolk firefighters were still battling a two-alarm fire that displaced two people on a North Main Street commercial building early Tuesday morning.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue said they were on the scene of a fire at Carts Unlimited, in the 700 block of N. Main St., after being dispatched to it at 10:04 p.m. Monday, with heavy fire coming from the roof.
According to officials, Carts Unlimited had an apartment building on the second floor. Two residents were inside of the building at the time of the fire, but were able to exit the building safely and call 911.
(Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (Photo – Suffolk Fire & Rescue) (WAVY Photo – Wyatt Young) (WAVY Photo – Wyatt Young) (WAVY Photo – Wyatt Young) (WAVY Photo – Wyatt Young)
Suffolk Engine 1 and Medic 1 arrived at 10:07 p.m. and found heavy fire and smoke showing from the building, with fire visible from the roof and heavy smoke showing from the interior, according to Fire Chief Mike Barakey.
He said that, after a coordinated interior attack of the fire to look for anyone believed to be inside the building, command gave an evacuation order at 10:51 p.m., and, as of just after midnight, defensive operations continued, Barakey said.
One WAVY 10 viewer captured video of the fire, showing a thick cloud of dark smoke spilling out from the top of the building.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Hazardous Materials Officer and Portsmouth Fire Department Hazardous Material’s Team were able to determine the building did not contain any hazardous materials. The run-off was initially a concern due to fuels, tires and batteries within the building.
There was no reports on injuries to firefighters or anyone else, and the fire was placed under control by 3:43 a.m. Two people, a mother and her 10-year-old son, have been displaced by the fire, according to officials.
According to officials, North Main Street remains closed from the 1200 block of North Main Street to the intersection of East Constance Road as crews work to put out hot spots. The road is expected to open by noon.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Check with WAVY.com for updates.
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