ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- There were no injuries, but there was a lot of damage done when a fire ripped through a building in busy downtown Ann Arbor, near the University of Michigan's central campus, on Friday.
Ann Arbor firefighters responded at around 7 a.m. the commercial building at 330 Maynard, near Liberty Street, with firefighters from Ann Arbor Twp., Pittsfield Twp. and Northfield Twp. all responding to assist.
WWJ's Ryan Marshall reports that, fortunately, no one was inside the building — which houses the Indian restaurant Madras Masala, as well as a vape shop — when the roof collapsed.
While the fire blazed late into the morning, Uber driver Ken Tripp called WWJ Newsradio 950 as he was trying to work around the situation.
"We got a lot of smoke flying around, a lot of debris flying around," Tripp said. "We've got students taking a lot of pictures, and we've got black smoke...driving down State Street, going towards Michigan Union hall. It's pretty thick out here."
State and East William Street, State and Liberty, Division and East Williams, and East Williams and Liberty Streets were blocked off to traffic, to allow firefighters to do their work.
Shortly after noon, Marshall reported that the fire was mostly out, although firefighters were still working on some hot spots, trying to make sure the fire does not spread.
Fire officials said it's too early to say what may have caused the fire, although there will be an investigation.
The public is asked to avoid the area, with fire crews expected to remain on the scene through the afternoon.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for updates as they become available.
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