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Crews fight fire at Durham's Water World

Firefighters responded on Wednesday morning to a structure fire at a Durham water sports store.

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DURHAM, N.C. — Firefighters responded on Wednesday morning to a structure fire at a Durham water sports store.

Authorities said units were at Water World at 135 South Miami Boulevard off U.S. Highway 70 around 6:30 a.m.

Footage from Sky 5 showed heavy smoke coming from the building.

Durham Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Roberts said some of the chemicals inside the business could have escalated the severity of the fire.

"We have a lot of house fires., regular residential fires. Commercial structure fires like this one—we don’t have every day, which is good," Roberts said. "But with this particular facility, doing maintenance on boats, they do have some extra oils and solvents inside that we may have to be concerned with. We’ve had hazmat come to make sure they’re not leaking into the ground. Everything is good and secured."

Roberts said there was heavy fire, smoke and water damage throughout the building, but there were no reported injuries.

A few boats in the store's shop area were also damaged, but most of the boats in the yard were unscathed.

Officials said the fire was under control by 8 a.m., and officials were investigating the cause, though Roberts said there's no evidence to indicate it was suspicious.

Customer Michael Pruitt said he's been shopping at Water World for 10 years.

"It is actually hurts me to see something like this being done," he said. "It gets a lot of customers. The guys right here, they'll help anybody. I know that for a fact."

The owner said he plans to re-open the store.

"If they need anything, I'll help them with anything," Pruitt said.

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