Fast ‑moving overnight fire destroys downtown businesses and apartments in Butler
The fire spread quickly through the complex, causing significant damage to several connected buildings that make up part of Butler’s Main Street.
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Fast‑moving flames tore through a section of the downtown business district overnight, destroying multiple buildings along Main Street in Butler.
Firefighters arrived to find flames pouring through the roofs of several connected buildings as the fire spread rapidly.
Businesses including restaurants were lost within seconds as smoke and fire filled the area.
Residents living in apartments above the businesses were forced to evacuate immediately, with some waking to firefighters banging on doors and shouting for them to get out.“I was sleeping, but the smoke,” said Leo Estrella. “I heard the fire guys knock on the doors. He said get out, get out.”
Others said the fire moved too quickly to save belongings. “It was so fast,” Rodolfo Navarro said.
Drone footage taken around 8:30 a.m. showed lingering hot spots that flared up again, forcing firefighters to pour more water on the damaged buildings to prevent further destruction.
There was no immediate word on how many residents were displaced or what caused the fire.
