Downtown Fire in Manitowoc

No one was injured early this morning when ‘fire’ broke out in a downtown Manitowoc retail and residential building.  Chief Todd Blaser tells the call came in from 816 S 8^th Street, just after 3 am.  Blaser explains they’re “very fortunate” smoke alarms were operational.  The fire chief says visible flames were showing from the 2^nd story of what’s known as a “taxpayer unit” with a retail business on the lower level & an upper apartment.  Blaser said personnel had the fire extinguished in about 10-to-15 minutes after arrival early today.  As for a ‘cause’ of the fire…he says.  Traffic on south eighth street between quay street and the bridge was being redirected…but one lane was open at last report.  The MFRD was assisted by other local agencies in the county through their mutual aid agreement.