Flames tore through the roof of a vacant building in East Pittsburgh Tuesday morning.

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Officials from Rivers Edge Volunteer Fire Department told Channel 11 the roof collapsed during the three-alarm fire.

The call came in around 3:30 a.m. for the fire at the intersection of Main and Center streets. Crews taped off a part of Center Street and the alley surrounded the building.

Officials said crews tried to go inside but realized it was too dangerous and used ladder trucks for an exterior attack.

Neighbors told Channel 11 they were awoken by the smell of smoke as flames shot out of the vacant building.

“Not knowing what’s in there, what’s going on…it’s kind of tough getting in there,” said Pat Green, Public Information Officer for Rivers Edge.

Green said in recent weeks, crews were doing work on the building, but no one was inside at the time or hurt in the fire.

Investigators are still working to figure out what caused the fire, and plans are in the works to demolish what’s left of the building.

The Salvation Army was on hand to provide assistance to firefighters.

The fire did not spread to the business next door, Tri Valley Automotive, but there is some heat damage to the outside.

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