The Marshalltown Fire Department (MFD) responded to a fire at a boarded up commercial building just north of the Jiffy gas station along South 3rd Avenue on Thursday evening.

According to a press release, firefighters were called to the scene at 6:37 p.m. and found a large vacant and partially boarded up commercial building with smoke showing in the westernmost side upon arrival.

After forcing entry into the building, fire crews encountered thick gray smoke banked down to the floor. During the fire attack, additional personnel on the alarm experienced two separate hydrant failures on East Linn Street that delayed the operation. During the wait for water, the building was horizontally ventilated, allowing the fire attack team to apply water from the exterior of the building.

Once a positive water supply was established from a third hydrant, the interior fire attack could be continued. The fire was successfully extinguished and overhauled with no exposure damage to any adjoining buildings.

Fire department personnel were at the scene for approximately three hours, and the cause of the fire is currently undetermined. The Marshalltown Police Department shared that traffic was closed for both the north and southbound lanes on South 3rd Avenue between Church and Linn Streets during the fire.

“Thank you to our partners in service for assisting the Fire Department during this incident. The Marshalltown Police Department assisted during the incident with traffic control. Alliant Energy assisted with utility control. Marshalltown Public Works assisted during the incident with barricades. UPH Marshalltown EMS provided medical standby at the scene,” Fire Chief Christopher Cross wrote in the release.