SPENCER, Iowa (KCAU) — The second floor and roof of a building in Spencer suffered extreme damage on Sunday.

An abundance of smoke could be seen from an upper-story building in the 200 block of Grand Avenue, a caller told 911 at approximately 12:36 p.m.

According to a release from Spencer Fire-Rescue, officials saw heavy smoke coming from the windows on the second floor. Officials entered the second floor and found a lot of smoke and high heat conditions.

While they were attacking the fire from the second floor, the roof began to fail which caused fire officials to have to evacuate, the release states. The used elevated streams from two ladder trucks to bring the fire under control.

Most of the occupants had been evacuated before the arrival of the firefighters, officials said. One occupant did receive assistance in exiting the building and three people were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Three pets were also rescued from the building and taken in for treatment.

The release states that the second floor and roof suffered extreme fire damage and adjoining buildings took on smoke damage. Places on the first floor took on minor to extreme water damage.

According to a few Facebook posts on the Spencer Main Street Facebook page, the damage is extensive and the investigation is ongoing.

Posts suggest that the community is doing what it can to help as officials work to control the fire in the cold weather.

22 Spencer firefighters responded and were at the scene for approximately eight hours. Every Fire_rescue provided mutual aid and Spirit Lake Fire Department provided a 100-foot aerial ladder. Spencer Hospital Paramedics, Spencer Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Emergency Management, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency, Iowa DOT Traffic Management Center, Black Hills Energy, Spencer Municipal Utilities, Spencer Street Department, and the American Red Cross also assisted.