ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A fire broke out in the area of the 600 block of Butternut Street Sunday morning.

Courtesy of John A. Cason II

According to officials, the fire broke out at about 11:39 a.m. and found a two-story wood frame structure fully engulfed in flames. An interior attack was made, but due to heavy smoke, crews began a defensive attack.

A second alarm was called, and 16 off-duty personnel came to support the effort. The Abilene Fire Department will remain at the scene throughout the day while backhoes and excavators assist. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and the incident remains under investigation.

The flames and smoke filled the sky and could be seen from across town. The fire was significant not only for its size but also for its location.

“Found out it was the bible book store. It’s a store I have been in many, many times,” Cathy Black shared. “I bought some Bibles there, books for my children. It was just a great store.”

Rogelio Aguinaga was eating breakfast across the street when he saw the flames. He said the store caught fire from a burning residential fire behind it.

“That tree between those two buildings kinda sparked the fire to this building,” Aguinaga shared.

He added that crews were quick to arrive and tackle the flames. As firefighters battled the blaze, traffic piled up with onlookers hoping to catch a final glance of the place that many businesses once called home.