A strip mall located located across the street from the Minquas firehouse in Downingtown was destroyed as flames quickly spread through the structure.
Crews were dispatched to the North Park Plaza around 5 p.m. on May 12. A complete size-up indicated that fire was already burning through the roof and a second alarm was called.
Firefighters set up for a defensive attack using aerial master streams and handlines.
The fire eventually reached three alarms, plus a two-alarm tanker task force assignment, bringing 20 fire companies to the scene.
