Kissimmee firefighters spent several hours Friday morning fighting an aggressive blaze that nearly burned down a pawn shop, which a fire official called a “total loss.”
Read more Apopka commissioners finally approve tax rate, move on to budget cuts
Firefighters responded around 6 a.m. to the Simple Pawn & Jewelry store on Vine Street after the building’s fire alarm went off. They initially tried to combat the fire from inside the shop but were ordered to back out of the building due to the flames.
The structure’s roof collapsed around 15 minutes later, officials said. The blaze was finally extinguished around 11 a.m. with the aid of about 40 firefighters.
The business declined to comment when reached by phone.
Joe Leone, Kissimmee’s deputy fire chief, said at a late morning news conference that the building looked like a “total loss” from what had been a ” extremely stubborn” blaze, and that it was still too dangerous for firefighters to go inside.
Read more Central Florida Voter Guide: August primary races and candidates
There were no injuries from the fire, but a firefighter was taken to the hospital after suffering heat exhaustion.
Fire crews remained on scene after the flames were doused, putting out hot spots. A burning scent still filled the air, and burnt debris was scattered on the ground throughout the area. The sidewalk outside the building was flooded from water from fire hoses.
Vine Street was closed for hours but was reopened around 11 a.m.
A state Fire Marshal arrived on scene around 9 a.m. to investigate, but no cause has yet been determined. Officials have been spoken with a contact for the pawn shop, according to Leone.
Read more UCF’s key position battles among top storylines to watch in preseason camp