View of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue working a fire at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building Tuesday from a nearby rooftop in downtown Birmingham. (abc3340.com)
Birmingham Fire and Rescue on the scene of a fire at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building in downtown Birmingham. (abc3340.com)
Birmingham Fire Department Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis. (abc3340.com)The Birmingham Fire Department is on the scene of a roof fire at the old Federal Courthouse in downtown Birmingham.
The Robert S. Vance Federal Building is located at 8th Street North and 5th Avenue North. Workers were doing roof repairs to the building as part of a multi-million dollar renovation Tuesday, but it is unknown if the fire is a result of the work being conducted.
The fire is being labeled a two-alarm blaze and an air unit has been called in by firefighters. Before sunset, the ABC 33/40 downtown Birmingham Skycam, was showing smoke in the area coming from the old courthouse.
At this time, there are no reports of injuries and the fire is considered to be under control.
We have a crew at the scene and will provide updates as more information is made available.
Update:
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis reports that the fire at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building on Tuesday started after a wooden elevator shaft ignited while construction workers were doing welding work.
"We had some construction workers on the roof doing some welding in an elevator shaft. The elevator shaft was made out of wood and somehow during the welding process, the wooden frame inside the elevator shaft ignited causing the fire." Mardis said. "It basically burned the storage area and the chamber housing the elevator on the top floor, basically it's destroyed."
Firefighters and investigators are still on the scene tonight to ensure the fire didn't spread to any of the lower levels, but Mardis reported that the fire is out.
