Crews spent over four hours battling a fire in downtown Guthrie Center Wednesday night.

The Guthrie Center Fire Department was called to respond around 10 p.m. to an apartment filled with smoke above the Strawberry Patch clothing store at 309 ½ State Street. Panora Fire Department responded shortly after, and flames began to shoot out of the roof at about 10:55 p.m. Stuart Fire Department arrived at about 11:15 p.m. with their ladder truck. Flames filled the second floor of the building and the windows to the east burst above Cabbage Rose restaurant. The agencies then worked for several hours applying water to the building and the garage directly to the north.

Several occupants had exited the building before agencies arrived. Cause of the fire has not been made official. Significant fire and water damage is estimated to the Strawberry Patch building, with smoke damage to Dowd Drug Pharmacy, and smoke and water damage to the Cabbage Rose building. Atlantic Fire Department, Panora EMS, Iowa State Patrol, Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, and Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency also assisted at the scene. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.