A fire in a dilapidated Victoria building could have been much worse but for the eagle eyes of firefighters heading back to the hall early Wednesday morning.

Crews were returning after an emergency medical call on Jan. 15 around 4 a.m. when they saw signs of smoke at the roofline of the abandoned building at 2002 Richmond Rd. B次元官网网址� simply called the Turner building by locals.

After pulling over for a quick assessment they called in for more support that wound up including six trucks and 18 firefighters.

While the blaze created hours of traffic disruptions in a busy part of the community, the department is satisfied with the outcome, including a lack of injuries.

The fortuitous early morning drive-by B次元官网网址渉elped prevent a more significant incident,B次元官网网址� Fire Chief Dan Atkinson told the Victoria B次元官网网址.

B次元官网网址淲e were on scene for several hours trying to access the seat of the fire which was very challenging given the state of the building,B次元官网网址� he said.

The Victoria building once housed a coffee shop, convenience store, flower shop and apartments on the second level. Built in 1946, the property is assessed just over $1.7 million in primarily land value, with the building shuttered since 2001.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite dilapidated B次元官网网址� it just wasnB次元官网网址檛 safe to go inside the building,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said.

Faced with rotting joists and severe roof damage, firefighters spent three hours dousing the fire externally.

Confident it was out, but knowing theyB次元官网网址檇 return to monitor, crews left.

People later reported the return of smoke and crews spent more time creating holes in windows, doors and walls to gain as much access as possible.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been secured and turned back over to the owner,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said.

TheyB次元官网网址檒l work with the city to determine if the building is structurally sound to remain in its current form or if additional measures are needed.

While itB次元官网网址檚 simply not safe enough to determine the seat of the fire, keeping the cause a virtual mystery, but the fact it was expected to be empty and had no power signals a B次元官网网址渉igh probability that some sort of human element caused this fire,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said.

The department routinely inspects the building, and owners have been receptive to maintaining security.

B次元官网网址淎ny time a building is sitting vacant we know that can be enticing B次元官网网址� but theyB次元官网网址檝e certainly done the best they can maintaining and securing those access points as best they can,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said. B次元官网网址淭hey did do their due diligence with this one.B次元官网网址�