Firefighters from several area departments responded to an early-morning commercial fire in the 5100 block of St. Joseph Ave.

The Lincoln Township Fire Department was dispatched around 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, to investigate a reported transformer fire. Upon arrival, Fire Chief Chiarello conducted a 360-degree size-up and confirmed an active fire in a large shop area of the building. The response was immediately upgraded to a full structure fire.

Crews from Lincoln Township, Lake Township, St. Joseph City Public Safety and Benton Harbor Public Safety worked together to bring the fire under control. Lincoln Township Engine 24 made an aggressive attack on the Charlie side of the structure, while assisting departments attacked the fire from the Alpha side.

Fire officials said the blaze was successfully contained to the shop area. However, firefighters faced challenges due to the large amount of contents inside the building, a maze-like layout and freezing temperatures, which required extensive overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported, and the fire has been declared out. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Responding agencies included the Lincoln Township Fire Department, Lake Township Fire & Rescue, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety and St. Joseph City Fire Department.