Newscopter 7 was over the scene as firefighters battled the raging inferno at the Salvation Army thrift store and donation center located at 900 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
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The fire devoured the roof with shooting flames that destroyed the building.
Inside the thrift store, where it started, the merchandise burned to ashes.
From the lowest angle they could get to, to the highest perch they could manage, firefighters tried in vain to drown the blaze for hours, but it kept on burning.
Just as it started, Anthony Lamont smelled the smoke in his apartment.
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A police officer came to help residents get out.
Two of Lamont's cats were outside with him Thursday night, a third cat was still in the apartment.
"I asked the officer if it's ok if I get my cats because I have three cats, I was able to only grab two of them," Lamont said.
But firefighters did prevent the spread of the fire to neighboring buildings, though the soaring flames didn't make it easy.
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Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
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However, the Red Cross says they are assisting residents in buildings adjacent to the Salvation Army building, who were evacuated.
Power to the adjacent buildings has been turned off.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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