Crews were dispatched at 2:10 p.m. Sunday to the 400 block of Market Street.
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"What the heck happened? That's what was running through my mind," said George Jones of Wilmington.
Smoke could be seen billowing from a sneaker store in a three-story building.
"I came out and I saw nothing but black smoke. You couldn't even see up the block, you couldn't see down Market Street," said Jones.
Wilmington Fire
"Chaotic, chaotic scene right now, fire everywhere, all over the place," said barber Victor Robinson.
Fire officials say the raging inferno grew to two alarms. Fortunately, no one was inside of the store, but getting in to fight the flames proved challenging.
"They cut a hole, tried to make an interior tackle on the fire. The building had an extreme fire load. Companies were pulled out. We went to a defensive attack," said Wilmington Fire Chief Michael Donahue.
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"I knew it was serious when the officers came over to the door, opened the door and just told us to come on out, and it just led to this, so I'm just glad nobody got hurt," said Robinson.
Officials say the fire was placed under control at 5:32 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
Action News is told the building housed a sneaker store on the bottom with apartments above.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Officials say the building sustained heavy fire and smoke damage, along with the adjoining properties.
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The Red Cross is assisting five adults displaced by the fire.
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