A four-alarm fire that broke out in the Sir Speedy building on South Main Street Saturday morning drew about 80 firefighters from 13 departments, according to Butler City Fire Department Chief Chris Switala.

The extra hands and five ladder trucks that responded helped tame the flames during a battle that lasted over four hours.

“As we were attacking the fire, the fire was getting into the void spaces,” Switala said.

Void spaces, he said, are areas where fire can spread due to extra structural space, such as between ceilings and floors.

The initial call came in around 8:15 a.m. for structure at the 229 S. Main St.

“The fire started in Sir Speedy,” Switala said. “We had heavy smoke, but not much visible fire.”

Switala said firefighters took an “aggressive” approach to stemming the flames when they repeatedly resurfaced during the course of the day.

Though the fire seemed to be concentrated in the rear of the Sir Speedy building, it did result in severe damage to the front of the structure. Holes were cut into the roof for ventilation purposes.

“It was aggressive work,” Switala said.

He said the roof collapsed in the rear of the building.

Switala said though Sir Speedy structure appears to be a total loss, neighboring businesses Edward Jones and Reclamation Brewing Company suffered only severe smoke and water damage.

Miller's Shoes, 215 S. Main St., wasn't directly affected by the fire, according to Switala. He said other businesses in that area of Main Street are structurally sound.

Switala said though there are reportedly apartments above the businesses, they didn't seem to be occupied. Switala said at the scene he's not aware of anyone being inside the building when the fire broke out.

The state fire marshal is investigating.

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Nicole Volk, who lives on the other end of Butler, said her family was worried about people being in the building when they first saw the smoke.

“That was our biggest concern,” Volk said. “That there were apartments.”

Volk said she and her daughters, Abbygail, 11, and Aubree, 7, smelled the smoke from their home.

“It's scary,” Abbygail said.

“It stinks,” Aubree said.

Volk said her family wanted the fire to be handled safely.

“Our hope is just that everyone's OK,” Volk said. “Firefighters, especially.”

Breakfast meals and drinks were sent to the scene for first responders, though Switala said he wasn't sure exactly where everything came from.

The city Public Works Department assisted with ice management.

Temperatures were in the low 20s for much of the day, causing concern about icy patches near hoses and hydrants.

Switala said while a few firefighters did lose their footing at the scene, there were no reportable injuries.

“It just immediately starts icing up the streets,” Switala said. “We called for Public Works early on.”

Fire departments that responded were Butler City, Butler Township, Butler VA, Callery, Slippery Rock, Chicora, East Butler, Adams, Saxonburg, Unionville, Penn Township and Herman.

Adams, Butler Township, Chicora, Saxonburg and Slippery Rock supplied ladder trucks, all five of which were used to combat the flames.

Butler City doesn't have a ladder truck but should have one by the end of the year.

“It's on order,” Switala said.

The Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department sent an air truck to refill self-contained breathing apparatuses.

Butler Ambulance Service, the Butler City Police Department, state police and the Red Cross were also on site, according to Switala.

By early afternoon Saturday, firefighters were investigating hot spots and removing any unstable pieces of the structure.

Switala did not have a cost estimate for damages at the scene. He did say the building is insured.