JESUP, Ga. – Firefighters are still working to extinguish small burns and hot spots at a shopping center in Jesup, Georgia after it was engulfed in flames Monday night, according to the Jesup Fire Department in Georgia.
Around 8 p.m. Monday, firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of Broad Street and Cherry Street where a shopping center caught fire. This is located in Jesup's historic downtown area.
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According to the Jesup Fire Department, the initial fire started in the Fair Haven store, then spread to the surrounding stores, affecting eight businesses in all.
More than 200 firefighters from surrounding areas responded to the shopping center.
IMAGES: Jesup shopping center fire
It took firefighters about four hours to contain the fire that destroyed several businesses, including a pet store, computer shop, and consignment store.
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Firefighters rescued several animals from the pet store before they were told to abandon efforts due to the growing fire.
Jesup Firefighters said layers of tar covering the roof made controlling the fire difficult, but they were able to get it under control early Tuesday morning.
Several firefighters were taken to the hospital to be treated. Some suffered from heat exhaustion and one had a broken foot. All are expected to be okay and have been released from the hospital.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but authorities said it doesn't look suspicious in nature.
State fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.