Fire reported in downtown Rocky Mount

Crews responded to the fire at Bob's Appliance Services, 122 Howard St., around 5:40 p.m. The blaze was reported by someone at a nearby business. 

"Because a lot of the buildings in downtown are connected, it limits our access on two sides," Rocky Mount Fire Chief Trey Mayo said.

Crews could only attack the flames from the front and back. 

Mayo said brick walls on each side of the building helped contain the fire from spreading. 

"The building is burned throughout on the first and second floor," Mayo said.

No injuries have been reported. 

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Bob Lane, who owns he business and the building, said his son got a call around 5:30 p.m. to let him know the business was on fire. Lane said he soon found out and went to the scene.

"It is heartbreaking - disheartening," he said. 

The appliance service store has been in business for 25 years and spent 21 years in the same building on Howard Street. Lane said the family-owned business has insurance.

"We are not going to stop. We are going to go forward," he said. 

Lane said he will run the business out of a different location until the building can reopen.