Fire shuts down part of Valparaiso's downtown

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VALPARAISO, Ind. – A fire that heavily damaged a retail building in Valparaiso’s downtown district prompted numerous power outages after officials cut power to protect firefighters.

Sgt. Mike Grennes of the Valparaiso Police Department said smoke was still pouring out of the two-story building several hours after crews were called to the scene about 2 a.m. Fort Wayne time Monday.

He said the need to cut power to the building for firefighters’ safety caused a number of power outages in the community’s downtown area.

Grennes told The Times of Munster (http://bit.ly/1047aWr ) the building’s roof had collapsed and firefighters were concerned about the structure’s stability.

He said the building housed a mortgage company, tailoring business and barber shop.