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[Tiny]

Driving South on N. Monroe St. there's a big structure fire right on the corner of N. Monroe and Lorain St. I think the scanner said two structures not sure. Avoid N. Monroe St in that area. Called out Monroe city, Frenchtown and South Monroe Fire depts.

[Monique]

Wonder if it's that little shop that can't seem to keep a tenant that's been a sports gear shop, a game store, and a resale shop?

Mannnn.... Really hope JoeBabe hasn't been affected.

[forever39]

I live across the street from this building - this was a huge fire - my son had walked to Broadway Market & noticed smoke on his way back - he called 911 - there were at least 2 people in the upstairs apartment trying to get down to the ground & one person in a lower apartment the police had to escort out.  Someone just opened a shop last weekend called "Now and Then" in the storefront - the 2 structures is because there is a house on Lorain that sits very close & the fire jumped to that house as well.  I believe both structures are owned by the same person.  This was/is a massive fire - all trucks are still on site, saw a few flames a few minutes ago, but now appears to be just lots of smoke.

[Monique]

Thanks for the info, forever39! So it is that little shop? Sure hope everyone made it out ok. Couldn't believe how many sirens we heard way back here and for so long, too. We figured it had to be something big!

[BigRedDog]

I live across the street from this building - this was a huge fire - my son had walked to Broadway Market & noticed smoke on his way back - he called 911 - there were at least 2 people in the upstairs apartment trying to get down to the ground & one person in a lower apartment the police had to escort out.  Someone just opened a shop last weekend called "Now and Then" in the storefront - the 2 structures is because there is a house on Lorain that sits very close & the fire jumped to that house as well.  I believe both structures are owned by the same person.  This was/is a massive fire - all trucks are still on site, saw a few flames a few minutes ago, but now appears to be just lots of smoke.

Are they on E or W Lorain or is it on Monroe Street?

I've been listening for an address but don't believe they ever gave one...  just Lorain and N. Monroe!

[BigRedDog]

This building??

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.923483,-83.393612&spn=0.025896,0.055747&hnear=La+Salle,+Monroe,+Michigan&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.923759,-83.393465&panoid=lZDDm6QLyp7cu4pvoVLxxQ&cbp=12,164.62,,0,1.39

[forever39]

The building actually faces Monroe Street with a storefront on Monroe & apartments upstairs & one to the side.  The second building actually faces Lorain & sits directly behind the Monroe St. building.  I don't know the address but it's the 400 block of North Monroe.

[Monique]

Good on your son for calling 911. He might have saved some lives today!

[BigRedDog]

The building actually faces Monroe Street with a storefront on Monroe & apartments upstairs & one to the side.  The second building actually faces Lorain & sits directly behind the Monroe St. building.  I don't know the address but it's the 400 block of North Monroe.

That's the one I posted in the Google street view...

[forever39]

Yes, BRD, that's the building - from a side view you can see the 2nd building - the fire jumped to it, as well.  Sorry, I didn't see your post before I posted.

Thank you, Monique.  The poor fellow in the downstairs apartment had no idea & was quickly gotten out by a policeman - my son gave him a shirt & some shoes to put on - he said he was just watching TV & was unaware of anything.  Could have been very bad for him as quickly as that building went up.

[BigRedDog]

This is looking at it from Lorain...

has it jumped over to the free standing building too?

Looks like it may be part of the same "complex"?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.923578,-83.393354&spn=0.025896,0.055747&hnear=La+Salle,+Monroe,+Michigan&t=m&layer=c&cbll=41.923544,-83.393221&panoid=FNPRwRymCmQnOtQ1nn2EHQ&cbp=12,212.29,,0,4.72&z=15

[forever39]

Yes, it appears to have jumped to the upper part of the free standing building.  The fire department is still there putting water on both buildings as of right now.  Still lots of smoke & I can actually smell it slightly in my house with all doors & windows shut.

[forever39]

And yes, I know both buildings were owned by the same owner at one time - not sure if that's still the case.  Did a lot of remodeling on them a few years ago.

[BigRedDog]

I just saw a foreclosure or pre foreclosure notice on a couple of properties right there near that corner...

could be interesting if it turns out to be these

[BigRedDog]

Yes, it appears to have jumped to the upper part of the free standing building.  The fire department is still there putting water on both buildings as of right now.  Still lots of smoke & I can actually smell it slightly in my house with all doors & windows shut.

They have at least one crew doing an interior attack just now...