Dozens of first responders were at the Museum of Florida History helping evacuate people after the building caught fire, and flames made their way into the walls.<\/p>\n
Tallahassee Fire Department spokesperson Todd Inserra said when firefighters got on the scene early Thursday evening, there was smoke throughout the building.<\/p>\n
“We worked to cut off the fire from further spreading,” Inserra said.<\/p>\n
TFD said the fire originated in “an exterior construction site and extended into the building.”<\/p>\n
Because of how large the building is, Inserra said TFD crews are still inside as of 5:10 p.m. inspecting the whole building to ensure the fire is completely out and that the building is fully evacuated.<\/p>\n
Once fire gets into the walls, “it can get bad fairly quick,” he said, but the size of the building helped decrease the risk for occupants.<\/p>\n
By 6 p.m., Insera said the fire was no longer active.<\/p>\n
“We’re just in the process of ventilating everything,” he said. “The fire has been called out, but we’ll be on scene for a long time.”<\/p>\n
N. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is closed between W. Pensacola Street and W. Madison Street until further notice.<\/p>\n
“Firefighters quickly contained the fire and remain on scene checking for hot spots and any hidden fire extension,” the department wrote on Facebook.<\/p>\n
TFD has not officially reported any injuries, but a Tallahassee Democrat photographer saw a woman being rolled out of the building on a gurney. Other employees are gathered in a nearby parking garage watching the first responders work and waiting for answers as to what happened. They declined to comment to a reporter on the scene.<\/p>\n
There were initially three fire engines on the scene, but by 5:50 p.m. one left. A law enforcement officer was also seen inspecting the building from the outside.<\/p>\n
It is unclear of the extent of the damage to the museum, but the museum has been closed since 2022<\/a> for repairs and its 47,000 artifacts were removed to accommodate the work.<\/p>\n A reporter has also reached out to the Department of State, which manages the museum. Thus far, no one is available for comment.<\/p>\n As for what the cause of the fire may have been, Insera said it’s still too early.<\/p>\n “We haven’t begun to investigate yet,” Our investigator is on scene and will begin once it is safe to do so.”<\/p>\n This is a developing story. Check back for details.<\/p>\n Elena Barrera can be reached at\u00a0ebarrera@tallahassee.com<\/a>. Follow her on X:\u00a0@elenabarreraaa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Released<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Fire breaks in walls of Tallahassee’s Museum of Florida History<\/a><\/p>\n