House fire closes part of 8th Street

March 08-- Mar. 8--TRAVERSE CITY -- Drivers found their road blocked while firefighters stopped the flames and smoke billowing from a century-old home on 8th Street.

Firefighters from the Traverse City, Grand Traverse Metro and Peninsula Township fire departments rushed to the blaze eating an apartment house at 126 8th Street on Friday at 1:24 p.m. Heavy smoke and flames rose from the basement when they arrived.

Traverse City Fire Chief Jim Tuller said three people escaped before the fire roared through the home. It burned on three levels, but firefighters suspect it started in the basement. They don't know what caused it and could start investigating Monday, Tuller said.

Emergency crews -- which also included Traverse City police officers, city utility workers and North Flight paramedics -- closed off the road from Cass to Union streets for several hours. They extinguished the flames, but not before the roof collapsed.

Tuller said the house suffered extensive water, smoke and structural damage. It appears the property owner has insurance coverage, he said.

He thanked the community for their patience while the responders worked.

"We pretty much took over this part of Old Town," Tuller said.