Breaking: Crews respond to fire at Lafayette Building in downtown South Bend – WSBT

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by Cicily Porter,WSBT22Reporter
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Sirens, smoke, and dozens of firefighters filled downtown as crews worked to put out a fire at the historic Lafayette Building.
Firefighters have said the cause of the fire will take some time.
A little before 8:20 Monday morning, the South Bend Fire Department was dispatched to downtown South Bend. When firefighters arrived, they found the Lafayette Building on fire.

The fire kept multiple crews busy for most of the day.
The fire was marked under control around 11 a.m.
RELATED: $8 million renovation of Lafayette Building approved
A South Bend engine company returned to the scene as the fire rekindled on Monday afternoon.
Firefighters kept an eye out for hotspots, ready to pour water on those hotspots.

South Bend firefighters take a well deserved break after battling a fire that heavily damaged the Lafayette building. (WSBT phpotop)

Firefighters could not get inside because it was deemed unsafe to enter the building, meaning they won’t be able to search for a cause on Monday.
While heading to work in South Bend’s downtown many people were met with black smoke billowing from the west side of the building.

Multiple crews responded to a large fire at the Lafayette Building located across from the County-City Building. (WSBT Photo)

That’s because the more than century old, Lafayette Building, had flames shooting from its top.
Around 90 firefighters from several departments called to battle the flames.
“I didn't know we had that many firefighters around here.”
The call came around 8:20 Monday morning, the fire started on the top floor and spread quickly.

Multiple crews responded to a large fire at the Lafayette Building located across from the County-City Building. (WSBT Photo)

Multiple crews responded to a large fire at the Lafayette Building located across from the County-City Building. (WSBT Photo)
“Well, we walked by here probably a little after seven to head to our project and there was nothing and then from over there you could just see the black smoke. Just it was, just this sky was just black,” Terry & Roxann Reasor – Moved the Crepeau Building.
The flames spread quickly making it challenging for firefighters.
“They tried to get a really quick search, didn't see anything, but the conditions of the fire were just too extreme at that point that a lot of fire dropping all the way down from the top floor down to the first floor,” said Derek Erquhart, South Bend Assistant Chief of Prevention & Fire Marshal.
No one was inside and no one was injured during the fire.

Multiple crews responded to a large fire at the Lafayette Building located across from the County-City Building. (WSBT Photo)

Several sections of the roof collapsed.
Because of its age, any demolition of the Lafayette Building would need approval from the Historic Preservation Commission — unless it is deemed an immediate threat to the public.
The building, built in 1901, is owned by the South Bend Redevelopment Commission. The five-story Lafayette Building is about three years into an $8-million renovation process.
City officials and Redevelopment Commission released the following statement:
No one was injured from the fire.

Multiple crews responded to a large fire at the Lafayette Building located across from the County-City Building. (WSBT Photo)

RELATED: Businesses feel impact of large fire at Lafayette Building in downtown South Bend
Investigators don't know what started the fire and the building was deemed unsafe for firefighters to go inside on Monday.
Lafayette Boulevard will remain closed between Jefferson Blvd and Washington Street while safety and structural inspections are conducted. The sidewalk on the westside will also be closed.
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