One downtown Fort Collins building was destroyed and a second severely damaged in a fire that broke out before dawn this morning.
The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. at 311 Mason St., a four-story condominium under construction, said Capt. Patrick Love, a Poudre Fire Authority spokesman.
The building was totally engulfed and the fire spread quickly to a nearby building, 204 Maple St., a four-story mixed-use retail and condominium, Love said.
When firefighters first arrived on scene the third and fourth stories of the Mason Street building were fully involved in flames and smoke.
In the Maple Street building, firefighters initially fought the blaze from inside the structure as they searched for any residents who may have been trapped. Everyone got out safely and firefighters were ordered out of the building because the blaze had become too dangerous, Love said.
There were no injuries. More than 50 firefighters battled the three-alarm blaze.
The building under construction was completely destroyed and the second building sustained heavy damage.
The American Red Cross is holding a meeting with lunch for those who were displaced.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
