Jim's Steaks fire: Firefighters get multi-alarm fire under control after four hours

PHILADELPHIA - Fire crews responded to a multi-alarm fire at Jim’s Steaks on South Street Friday morning. 

Firefighters arrived at the building on the corner of the 400 block of Market Street around 9:30 a.m. for a report of a fire. 

A short time later, officials declared a second alarm and asked residents to avoid the area until further notice.

Philadelphia Fire Department officials say about 100 of their members responded to the scene, including firefighters, medics, and support personnel. 

They say the additional assistance was provided to give the responding units a chance to rest due to the heat and long duration of the response. 

SKYFOX was over the scene as smoke poured from the building throughout the morning and firefighters worked both inside and outside of the building.

The Assistant Manager of the shop told FOX 29 that she arrived at the building Friday morning and noticed it was extremely warm inside. While waiting for an air condition repair worker, the employee noticed smelled smoke and exited the building with other workers. 

Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said the fire moved through the HVAC unit, making it difficult to quickly extinguish. The dense smoke in the building limited visibility for firefighters working to tamp down the three-alarm blaze.

Officials have not said if the fire started in the steak shop or in an adjacent property or business. 

Firefighters battled the fire for about four hours and declared it under control at 1:33 p.m. 

No injuries to civilians or firefighters have been reported at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.