RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond Fire Department marked a building fire in downtown Richmond under control after calling in another company for help.
Fire crews were called to 11 West Broad Street around 10 a.m. and encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions in the basement. After an hour the fire was marked under control.
The buildings adjacent to were the fire originated were also damaged.
Brendan Ginsburg and his partner Christopher Maloney own Circle Thrift and Art space next door. Their building filled with smoke during the fire next door.
"We've only briefly been able to walk in there and just assess. We tried to turn some fans on and stuff,” said co-owner, Brendan Ginsburg.
"It's not great timing, considering it's about to be the holidays. It's a busy season for us,” Ginsburg added.
One woman had an anxiety attack during the fire. No other injuries were reported.
The owners tell CBS 6 - squatters have been seen coming in and out of the property.
Fire officials have not confirmed that.
Regardless, business will be even tougher for the property owners struggling with the construction in front of them.
"We're looking forward to the GRTC pulse. But of course, there's limitations with construction and small business. Now, we're going to shut down for we don't know how long,” said Christopher Maloney.
"Hopefully, this is a lesson to everyone,” said Ginsburg.
Fire officials have not yet determined a cause of the blaze. And while the clean up may take time, the property owners seem confident they will be back up and running.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips and photos here.
