Police closed Main Street because firefighting equipment blocked the street as crews battled the blaze into the early morning hours.
One firemen suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze.
Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said fire fighters trying to contain the flames and smoke to the attic of the building had to get out because of the fast moving fire.
"We started trying to knock the fire down in the ceiling but we had to pull everybody out," Pruitt said. "...we pulled them out because we didn't want anybody in the building with the risk of it collapsing."
Chief Pruitt said a night manager smelled smoke and called 911 about midnight and by the time the first units arrived heavy smoke was pouring from the roof and flames erupted, consuming the structure.
"It's a total loss," Pruitt added. "This is in the heart of Cleveland's commercial area. We'll have to get heavy equipment to remove the debris; the State Fire Marshal will start his investigation in the morning, we have no idea what the cause is."
Pruitt said no other businesses sustained damage from the flames, though a McDonald's is just a few feet away.
"We advised the people in the McDonald's parking lot they had to leave and we kept everybody a safe distance from the fire," Pruitt said.
Cleveland's entire department turned out along with units from four White County Fire Department stations, assisted by firefighters from the Lee Arendale State Prison.
Police closed Main Street because of firefighting equipment blocked the street as crews battled the blaze
Fire fighters trying to contain the flames and smoke to the attic of the building had to get out because of the fast moving fire
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/3/227619