WASHINGTON --
D.C. firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire on Monday at Jimmy's Tire Shop at 1215 K St. NE.
Responders arrived at the scene just before 1 p.m. and found fire and smoke coming from the building that houses the tire repair shop.
Witnesses told investigators the blaze sparked around the time workers were cutting concrete at a new residential building going up next door.
Some tire store employees were initially unaware the two-story brick building was on fire, but no injuries were reported.
The business was built in the 1920s and moved to its K Street location in 1974, News4's John Friess reported.
"It's a disaster," said Dick Colburn, tire shop owner.
At a press conference, city officials addressed environmental concerns from both the smoke and the runoff from water being used to fight the fire.
About a half-dozen nearby homes were evacuated, Friess said.
Because of the cold, there was a fear that the vast amount of water used to fight the blaze could make for icy streets. Salt was spread on wet pavement and environmental crews took water and air samples from the area.
"This is also a residential neighborhood, and we want to make sure people stay safe and that it's safe for them to stay here," said Councilmember Tommy Wells.
Smoke could be seen from as far away as Alexandria. Fire officials said at about 5 p.m. on Monday that they expected the fire to continue to burn for several hours.
The fire reignited at about 6:30 p.m.
Smoke was seen rising past the height of the U.S. Capitol less than a mile away.
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