A four alarm fire destroyed a 81-year-old building in Columbus Wednesday afternoon. Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says firefighters were called to Carpet Mania at 10th Street and Michigan Avenue just before 12:30 p.m.

At about 12:45 p.m.  the roof collapsed. A thick pillar of black smoke could be seen for miles around the community.

Before it was over, nearly 60 Columbus firefighters were called in to fight the blaze, including 30 who were off duty at the time and three from Columbus Township. Efforts involved six fire engines, two ladder trucks and the rescue squad. Volunteer fire departments from surrounding townships throughout the community were called in to cover any other emergencies.

The fire threatened several neighboring businesses and destroyed a cross fit studio in the same building.

The fire was marked “under control” at 4:48 p.m. in the afternoon, but firefighters remained on scene until at least 11:30 p.m. last night, fighting hotspots.

Wilson adds that there is still no word as to what may have caused the fire, but witnesses reported an electrical noise in the walls and flickering lights just before noticing the fire in the store’s warehouse.

He adds that two firefighters suffered minor injuries, but no civilians were hurt.  They were both taken to PromptMed for treatment.

There is no damage estimate yet.