Fire destroys historic building in Waterville

Waterville fire
A firefighter is seen outside a building on fire in downtown Waterville, during an early morning blaze July 3, 2014.
Ashely Hanley/AP via KEYC-TV

Officials say a historic building in downtown Waterville will have to be torn down after a fire swept through it, leaving it a total loss.

Waterville Fire Chief Chris Meskan says his department got a call about a fire at the Rogers building at 6:15 a.m. Thursday. Crews arrived to find it fully engulfed in smoke and flames.

The Faribault Daily News reports the building houses four apartments, and two businesses.

Meskan says no one was injured.

Meskan says he believes the fire started outside, possibly by a recreational vehicle.

Mayor Steve Mihalik tells The Associated Press that the Red Cross is assisting families who have been displaced.

The 19th century building is named after the town's founder and first police chief, L.Z. Rogers.

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