Flames and smoke poured out of a Salem, New Hampshire restaurant Wednesday morning as a fast-moving blaze consumed the building.
The fire broke out at the China Star restaurant, located at 80 Main St., around 5:30 a.m.
As firefighters battled the flames, officials issued a mayday call as conditions deteriorated rapidly. They escaped the building before it collapsed.
Officials believe 17 people living in the apartments connected to the restaurant made it out safely on their own.
Two firefighters who got injured were transported to Holy Family Hospital in Methuen for precautionary reasons, Fire Chief Paul Parisi said.
Police are asking commuters to avoid the area as crews work to contain the flames.
This is a developing story; stay with 7News on air and online for the latest updates.
Building heavily involved. Avoid area for morning commute. Crews will be here a while pic.twitter.com/bD6114fwsr
— SalemPD (@SalemNHPolice) June 13, 2018
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