Firefighters protect neighboring homes from two-alarm fire at vacant building

Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire in Buffalo's Seneca Babcock neighborhood around 4:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. When firefighters arrived on Troupe Street, the building was completely overcome by flames.

BREAKING: Massive fire near troupe and wescott. Second alarm just called on this fire. Buffalo fire setting up lines- water barely seems to be making a dent right now @WKBW pic.twitter.com/N2yFRrtCVd

— Thuy Lan Nguyen (@ThuyLanWKBW) July 10, 2018

The structure completely burned to the ground. Neighbors told 7 Eyewitness News it was a housing unit that had been vacant since at least 2009, but it appeared as though it may be undergoing renovation or construction. City of Buffalo officials tell 7 Eyewitness news that the building was a Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) facility that was undergoing a "gut rehab," and it has been an active construction site since May.

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames quickly once they put hoses on the fire. Part of Seneca Street was shut down to help firefighters use their hoses. They also wetted neighboring homes and a garage to keep them from catching fire or being damaged. Fire investigators say it was a two alarm fire that affected 4 units & the estimated damage is $750,000.

RIGHT NOW- Buffalo Fire knocking down flames pretty quickly. Firefighters are wetting down neighboring structure,a garage with lawn mower inside to keep it from catching fire. Fire asking police to assist in shutting down Seneca. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/EBNvWTdCUI

— Thuy Lan Nguyen (@ThuyLanWKBW) July 10, 2018

No injuries have been reported at this fire. The cause is under investigation.