Commercial Building fire in Ironwood

IRONWOOD — A structure fire in Ironwood damaged several businesses on Wednesday.

First responders located the fire in the basement of a large commercial building on East Ayer Street at around 8 p.m.

They evacuated the residents of apartments in the building.

It took nearly 5 hours to fight the blaze and clear the scene, the Ironwood Department of Public Safety said.

Two businesses in the building sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. A third business sustained minor damage.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Ironwood Public Safety Department was assisted by Xcel Energy, Beacon Ambulance, Gogebic County Victim services, the City of Ironwood Department of Public Works, the Hurley Fire Department and other law enforcement agencies.