INDIANAPOLIS --
Parts of two streets were closed after a large fire that tore through a downtown building overnight, causing extensive traffic troubles Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out at a building at the corner of 10th and Pennsylvania streets at about 11:15 p.m. Monday. It took firefighters two hours to douse the flames.
Both 10th and Pennsylvania are closed in the area of the fire. The exit ramp to Meridian Street from northbound Interstate 65 was also shut down.
There were long delays on southbound Meridian Street during the morning rush hour. Other streets in the area were clogged with traffic as motorists tried to navigate around the closures.
The Department of Code Enforcement and a crane were placed near the building because of fears it could collapse. Crews plan to tear the building down.
"The primary concern at this point is the safety of the citizens and any secondary collapse that could occur," said Indianapolis fire Capt. Rita Burris. "The Department of Code Enforcement has been on the scene since 2:30 a.m. analyzing the compromised building as well as consulting with structural engineers to determine any safety hazards and how best to deal with the situation."
Flames shot from the windows of the four-story former apartment building, and the fire could be seen from several blocks away.
About 70 firefighters were involved in the fight, using eight fire hydrants and hundreds of gallons of water to bring it under control.
Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started but said homeless people may have been using the building for shelter. The blaze was so intense that firefighters had to stay out of the building as they doused the flames.
"They'll start with a process of witness interviewing and that type of thing … as soon as they can get into the building," Burris said.
Pennsylvania Street remains blocked from 9th to 11th streets, and 10th Street is blocked from Delaware to Meridian streets.
There have been two other fires in the building within the last 10 years, Burris said. Damage in the latest blaze was estimated at $750,000. There were no injuries.
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