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SUFFOLK, Virginia (April 22, 2024): Suffolk Fire & Rescue responded to the 700 Block of N. Main Street for a commercial structure fire. Suffolk Emergency Communications Dispatch Center dispatched the incident at 10:04 p.m.

Engine 1 and Medic 1 arrived at 10:07 p.m. to find heavy fire and smoke showing from a large commercial building.  Fire was visible from the roof and heavy smoke was showing from the interior.  After a coordinated interior attack to search for any occupants that were believed to inside the building, an evacuation order was given by command at 10:51 p.m.  At the time of this release, defensive operations continue. No injuries reported to firefighters or civilians at the time of this release.  Virginia Department of Emergency Management has been contacted due to hazardous materials that are present in the building and to contain run-off.  Portsmouth Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team is responding to assist with controlling the run-off.  The fire is still not under control as of 12:08 a.m. April 23, 2024.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire with Fire Marshal 1 leading the investigation.

Responding units included Car 1, Car 2, Car 5, Car 7, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 5, Engine 6, Ladder 3, Ladder 6, Ladder 11, Chesapeake Ladder 10, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 6, Rehab 6, EMS1, Safety 1, Fire Marshals 1,3,4,5,6, VDEM, Portsmouth HazMat Team, and Suffolk Police.

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