Most Of 'The Block' Remains Closed After 5-Alarm Fire

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There was another big fire Monday night in the city's red light district on Baltimore Street, an area known to many simply as "the Block."  Derek Valcourt has the latest on the work and the investigation underway there.

It's going to take a massive team of investigators several days to figure this one out. 

It's quiet on the Block Tuesday, though plenty of people came to see for themselves the fire's aftermath.

"Definitely hope it's not arson.  That would break my heart," said Gloria Hall.

That's the question facing investigators after the five-alarm fire consumed two buildings and several businesses in the 400 block of Baltimore Street Monday evening.  Patrons, employees and half-clothed exotic dancers ran to safety as more than 150 firefighters sprang into action.

Strong winds blew thick smoke into much of downtown, forcing several street closures and creating gridlock during the evening rush hour.

"We are going to do everything in our power to explain to the citizens of Baltimore why this fire started," said City Fire Marshal Raymond O'Brocki.

For that job, the city requested help from the federal ATF's national response team.  Thirty of their best arson investigators will help local crews find the cause.

"A number of businesses have been affected.  Our goal is to get in here and get the business of Baltimore back on track as quickly as possible," said Sheree Mixell, ATF.

Tuesday, fire inspectors are assessing the safety of the decades-old building where they believe the fire started.  Sections of its interior have already collapsed from the fire and the massive amounts of water dumped on it Monday.  That means it may not yet be safe for investigators to get inside.

Meanwhile, many citizens are praising firefighters for keeping the blaze from spreading even farther.

"To be out here in the middle of the night battling a five-alarm fire--them hoses are heavy with ice cold water--I take my hat off to those guys," said one man.

Investigators say they'll be conducting witness interviews Tuesday night and then officials will begin their fire scene reconstruction Wednesday.  Officials say early damage estimates could run in the $2 to $3 million range.

The city's nearby Municipal Employees Credit Union building was evacuated during the fire.  It suffered only minor damage on one floor and was open Tuesday.