NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) — The Norfolk Fire Department battled a commercial fire Wednesday afternoon.
The fire was at The Desk Doctor furniture repair and cabinet store, located at 23rd Street and Llewellyn Avenue. Norfolk Emergency Communications received the 911 call around 3:10 p.m.
Jamis Summs works just a block away from 23rd Street, and he followed the smoke down the street.
"Stepping outside of my work I saw the billowing smoke. I stepped over thinking it was my buddy Bo's Makerspace," said Summs.
Firefighters had to be pulled from the building at one point because the fire was too intense. Fire Battalion Chief Harry Worley says all firefighters had to come out.
"The fire was growing bigger, and at a certain point, you have to say that it's compromising the building. We want to pull the firefighters out and keep them safe, and we can knock it down from the outside," said Worley.
Fire department ladder pipes were needed to knock the blaze down and allow firefighters the ability to go back inside.
According to its website, The Desk Doctor specializes in touch-ups, repairs, refinishing and refurbishing old furniture, as well as building custom wood furniture and cabinetry. Four workers said they were inside renovating the warehouse when the fire started, but they escaped.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time, and no injuries have been reported at this time.
