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Raw: Crews battle fire at Spokane's Joel Building

SPOKANE - All 17 fire engines from the City of Spokane, plus extra forces from Spokane Valley, remain on the scene of a three-alarm fire at the historic Joel Building at 2nd and Post in Downtown Spokane.

The fire was reported around 5 a.m. Thursday. Crews worked for two hours to get control of the flames. At 7 a.m. firefighters said they were able to contain the fire to the basement.

One firefighter suffered rib and leg injuries when he fell through the floor of the building. Sean Poole was treated and released at Sacred Heart Medical.

Dorian photography studios is housed in the building. John Mark, one of the owners of the family-run business, told KREM.com that the family occupied four floors on the north portion of the building.

"The alarm company contacted me at 4:55 (a.m.)," Mark said. "They tell me it's going pretty hard in the basement. I'm concerned there is not going to be much left."

Dorian has been housed in the building since 1973.

Crews were concerned that the smoke may have contained chemicals from a photo studio that was located in the basement where the fire was burning.

Kevin Blocker

Thick cement walls helped to contain the fire to the basement, but officials say that the area heated up like a furnace, making it impossible for firefighters to go inside to knock down the fire.

Crews eventually were able to get to the fire by knocking a hole in the floor of an upper level.

Several businesses, including Churchhill restaurant, and condominiums that were under contruction, were housed in the building.

Wells and Company were in the process of constructing those condominiums that were scheduled to range from 900 to 1,200 square feet.

Officials are asking that people avoid the area if possible. Several streets around the fire are block and will stay closed through the afternoon.