Fire crews were still on the scene Wednesday morning, keeping an eye on hot spots and starting the cleanup process after Tuesday night's fire at the building that houses Marco's Restaurant.
The building's Canal Street side went up in flames at about 10:30 p.m., and the Lisbon Street side was burning by 11 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, firefighters were ordered off the building's roof, moments before sections of the roof collapsed. Witnesses reported seeing burning bricks falling to the ground.
Firefighters from five communities were still battling the two-alarm fire early Wednesday morning. They were hampered by narrow access to the building, through a rear alley.
The fire sent hot ash blowing from the windows above Canal Street Alley. Fire was reflected in the windows of the Bates Mill as hundreds of people gathered to watch from Lisbon and Canal streets, forcing police to struggle to control the crowds.
Nobody was believed to have been injured in the blaze, although two firefighters were taken to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Rescue paramedics were at the scene as police continued to push crowds back further from the area.
Marco's, at 177 Lisbon St., has been in business for 26 years.
