A significant fire at a vacant building in Monroe County resulted in 18 firefighters sustaining injuries, as reported by several local news outlets. The structure, located adjacent to the Michigan College of Beauty, became engulfed in flames around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the WWJ Newsradio.

Firefighters were met with heavy black smoke pouring from the building upon their arrival. Emergency crews from 10 different communities in Monroe County responded to the five-alarm fire, including deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and officers with the Monroe Police Department, FOX 2 Detroit reported. Monroe Fire Chief Mark Cherney detailed how the conflagration threatened nearby establishments, stating, "There was a stairwell that was going up to a loft area that was totally burned through," also mentioning their urgency in evacuating a dialysis center nearby.

The heat appeared to be a formidable adversary to the responders, as FOX 2 Detroit indicated that 17 firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries on-site, and two were hospitalized in stable condition. The intensity of the blaze required about 100 firefighters and approximately 5 hours to completely extinguish it.

While the business adjacent to the fire scene, Michigan College of Beauty, was unaffected by the fire itself, the incident did prompt a safety evaluation and temporary closures in the vicinity. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a witness reportedly having seen someone fleeing the building as the fire erupted. Following the fire, officials closed South Monroe Street, between Jones and Dunbar while the inquiries progressed, 13abc noted.

As investigations continue, the neighboring businesses affected by the fire are expected to resume operations the day after the incident.