An electrical shortage is thought to be responsible for a commercial fire that broke out in Gainesville on Wednesday afternoon.
No injuries were reported in the fire along the 200-block of Broad Street, located just off the Gainesville Square.
"Upon arrival, crews found moderate smoke exiting the three-story building. The fire had been extinguished by the sprinkler system," said Gainesville Fire Department Division Chief Keith Smith. "Crews did locate an area with elevated temperatures and used a water can to cool it."
Smith said the building's fire alarm system had also allowed the occupants of the building to escape before fire crews arrived on scene.
For the next 45 minutes, Smith said firefighters worked to clear the building of any remaining smoke and water. They also conducted a damage assessment before leaving the scene.
"There was moderate fire damage to the first-floor women’s restroom as well as water damage from the sprinkler system to the first floor," Smith said. "The Fire Marshal’s office remained on scene to conduct the fire investigation."
That investigation revealed the fire was likely started by an electrical shortage that caused a fire with the restroom's exhaust fan.
"Fire fell into a waste basket, but was extinguished by the sprinkler system," Smith said. "There was no fire outside of the rest room."
The fire, which was reported just after 2:30 p.m., caused roughly $20,000 in damage.
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