PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Crews battled a raging fire that destroyed a vacant building in west Phoenix on Tuesday morning.
A Phoenix firefighter suffered heat-related injuries from the early-morning temperatures that were above 90 degrees, and from the fire, according to Larry Nunez of the Phoenix Fire Department. Firefighters carried equipment that weighs about 70 pounds, he said.
The firefighter, identified as one of the commanders, was conscious and expected to be OK.
Firefighters discovered mattresses inside the building and on top of its roof, raising suspicions that transients were sleeping on the roof to escape the heat on the floor below, according to another Phoenix firefighter.
Nunez said about 60 firefighters battled the blaze, and were still looking for hot spots in the building.
Firefighters initially entered the building just after 4 a.m. to ensure there was no one inside, but quickly retreated as the fire grew in intensity, Nunez said.
CBS 5 News reporter Jose Miguel said two ladder trucks from the Phoenix Fire Department were used on the fire, which closed the intersection of 43rd and Grand avenues.
Miguel said flames rose more than twice the height of the building and continued to grow despite the efforts of firefighters.
Heavy smoke hampered breathing and also covered the scene. Motorists on the Grand Avenue overpass nearby were slowing down due to the thick smoke, Miguel said.
The building was deemed a total loss, Miguel said.
Nunez said the fire department would continue to investigate.
Stay with cbs5az.com and CBS 5 News as this story develops.
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