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A vacant convalescent hospital in Bloomington was destroyed after a fire tore through it early Thursday, Feb. 15, authorities said
Just after 6 a.m., a fire erupted at the 13,000 square foot structure near the intersection of Grace Street and San Bernardino Avenue, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Prior to being vacant, the building served as a 49-room convalescent hospital.
About a quarter of the structure was already involved in fire by the time crews arrived and two people found inside the building were taken to safety with no injuries reported, said fire department spokesperson Mike McClintock. Information on the two was not immediately available.
The fire quickly spread into the attic, prompting firefighters to take a defensive position and focus on prevent the flames spreading to neighboring buildings, McClintock said.
Crews managed to knock down the fire in about 90 minutes, with an excavator used to overhaul the structurally compromised building.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.