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Fire officials demo parts of steel building trying to put out flames

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The fire at the old Bethlehem Steel Building has been burning for days.

Officials say they can't put the fire out until they're able to get inside, and that's why crews are working on demolishing parts of the building, so firefighters can fight from the inside.

Thursday night around 9:00 p.m. crews started demolishing parts of the building to get inside, but the challenge is the smoke. Officials say opening up the building is creating more smoke pouring into the community.

More than 300 homes have been evacuated, directly because of the poor air quality and the amount of smoke.

Lackawanna Mayor Geoff Szymanski says the State of Emergency cannot be lifted until the air quality gets better, but he says the air quality is better than when the fire broke out.

Residents who choose to leave their homes can stay at the American Red Cross warming shelter at Lackawanna High School. So far 11 people have registered to stay there.