A smoky three-alarm fire challenged Montgomery firefighters Friday morning as it burned through a former school building.

The fire at the former Sayre Street School was reported at 8 a.m. 

The fire in downtown Montgomery reached three alarms as it burned through the structure, which was built in 1891. The fire was declared under control in three hours.

"Crews made an outstanding effort on a very challenging incident," the department shared on Facebook.

The two-story brick building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.