Flames tear through strip mall in Anaheim, burning multiple businesses

Flames tore through a strip mall in Anaheim as firefighters struggled to put out the blaze Wednesday morning.

Firefighters managed to contain it initially before the building at 1210 South State College Boulevard caught fire again before 6 a.m., forcing the Anaheim Fire Department to respond again, authorities said. They were called in at 5:23 a.m. when authorities said smoke and fire were coming from one unit of the building. Later, however, the fire spread to other units.

Just after 7 a.m., towering, bright red flames were rising from multiple areas of the building's roof. About 20 minutes later, the flames were less visible as billowing clouds of smoke filled the area and firefighters sprayed water over the roof.

Some businesses in the strip mall include a liquor store, Subway restaurant and an adult entertainment club. 

Witnesses said they saw flames first on the north side near the adult entertainment club, Sahara Theatre. Firefighters have yet to determine the ignition point. 

At 7:30 a.m., Anaheim fire officials said firefighters would remain at the scene for at least another 30 minutes. By 8 a.m., multiple businesses had caught on fire, and the blaze was still actively burning. 

The flames destroyed all of the ten businesses at the mall. 

"It feels terrible," victim Brenda Portillo said. "We lost everything. We feel bad for our employees. It's something terrible."

No one was injured in the fire.