PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Dozens of firefighters from multiple agencies battled a two-alarm blaze in Downtown Portsmouth Wednesday afternoon.
The Portsmouth Fire Department said the fire was reported at the corner of Effingham Street and South Street around 3:16 p.m.
Crews arrived to find a two-story duplex fully engulfed in fire, and a second alarm was quickly called to bring in more help to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings.
13News Now spoke to Christopher Watson who said he rents the lower level of the home. Watson said he returned from work to find the home engulfed in flames.
He said he hopes the home isn’t a total loss.
“I don’t really care about the clothes and shoes. I can buy that stuff, but all the like important paperwork that I needed, like I really needed that stuff. Now, it’s just gone,” Watson said.
It took about an hour to bring the fire under control. No one was injured, but the fire department said the Red Cross is assisting six people and two dogs who were displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but the fire department said at this time it did not appear to be suspicious in nature.
In addition to Portsmouth crews, firefighters from Chesapeake and the Navy also assisted.