Update: Large fire in downtown De Pere

Update: Large fire in downtown De Pere

Firefighters battle a fire on Broadway in De Pere early in the morning of Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (WBAY photo)

DE PERE, Wis. (WBAY)- An update from the fire scene in De Pere:

Fire Chief Alan Matzke says the building where the fire started has collapsed, but no one who lived in the building was hurt.

He spoke to reporters at about 2:45 a.m.

Matzke says the first firefighters on scene just after 12:30 a.m. found heavy smoke in a restaurant on the the first floor of the building at 100 S. Broadway.

There are apartments above the restaurant, but police and firefighters were able to get everyone safely out of those apartments.

As crews started to fight the fire, the ceiling partially collapsed.

Firefighters pulled out of the building and have been working to keep the flames from spreading to the entire block.

Matzke says the building is older and that made it more difficult to fight the fire.

The building where the fire started eventually collapsed.

One firefighter has suffered a minor leg injury.

The Red Cross is helping 20 people who are displaced

Fire crews expect to have Broadway closed for the next few hours at least.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Fire crews are on the scene of a large fire in downtown East De Pere.

Fire crews were called to the corner of South Broadway and George St. at about 12:30 Wednesday morning.

A Facebook live report by Action 2 News reporter Kati Anderson showed heavy smoke coming from at least one building at about 1:30 a.m., then flames leaping from the building at about 2:00 a.m.

Broadway is closed in both directions between William Street and and Main Avenue.

No word on any injuries, or what caused the fire.

Action 2 News has a crew on the scene and we'll keep this story updated.

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Source: https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Fire-in-downtown-De-Pere-508990721.html