PHENIX, Va. — Phoenix firefighters say a first alarm fire in downtown Phoenix Thursday was deliberately set.
Authorities said 43-year-old Alphonso Martinez was arrested Friday in connection with the massive structure fire near 5th Avenue and Monroe Street.
Phoenix Fire Department officials tell 12 News that Martinez was leasing the building. Officials said Martinez was captured on surveillance video coming and going from the building.
Authorities said the building was being used as a storage facility and was not an active business or office.
Fire crews were able to quickly contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Video from the scene showed the roof of the structure collapse as the flames ripped through the building.
Firefighters said the building is 100 years old and was burning extremely hot when they got here.
Officials said due to the amount of fire and smoke, crews immediately balanced the assignment to a first alarm.
Officials said no one was injured in the blaze.
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