LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln fire officials say a roofing crew caused a three-alarm fire that broke out at a downtown strip mall.

Authorities say everyone escaped the Monday blaze before flames gutted most of the building that’s valued at $635,000.

The Lincoln Journal Star says thick, black and brown smoke spilled across part of the downtown area as crowds gathered to watch firefighters on ladders and on the ground battle the fire.

The Lincoln Fire and Rescue battalion chief says a building inspector will have to examine the structural integrity of the building before a city fire investigator can get inside.