CINCINNATI --
A five-alarm fire destroyed four buildings Tuesday evening in University Heights.
Heavy smoke poured from the fire, which ripped through five buildings on the 2700 block of West McMicken Avenue, and could be seen for miles.
The flames were shooting at least 30 to 40 feet high, said neighbor Auggie Arredondo.
Investigators said the blaze began at 2724 McMicken Ave., a red brick structure that housed the Cincinnati Costume Company.
Firefighters attacked the blaze from all directions, hoping to contain the fire, but authorities said flames consumed a warehouse in back, a showroom in front and spread to a building next door.
A roof collapsed at the adjacent Schott Brewery and firefighters reported hearing explosions on the lower floor of one building.
There was a lot of fire (so) we could not put our firefighters in danger, said District Fire Chief Fred Prather. We had to back them out within minutes of arriving.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury pulling a hose, authorities said, but no residents were inside any of the buildings apartments at the time.
When you invest all your time and stuff into something like that, and then fire just rips through it and tears it, it's kind of, I don't know it's depressing, said costume shop customer Gordon Walz. It's heart-wrenching.
No damage estimate has been released and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Caught On Video: Fire Destroys 4 Buildings
Raw Video: Fire Destroys Four Buildings In University Heights
Images: Crews Battle 5-Alarm Fire
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