UPDATED With Pics, Video: 4 Alarm Fire Rips Through Millbrae Recreation Center

MILLBRAE, CA -A four-alarm fire destroyed the Millbrae Community Center Thursday morning and crews will be at the scene for most of the day to mop up and also investigate what might have caused the blaze, Central County Fire Chief John Kammeyer said.

A firefighter said the fire was reported at 3:52 a.m. and heavy smoke was seen in the attic of the Millbrae Parks and Recreational Department building located at 477 Lincoln Circle.

Flames tore through the community center, eventually causing parts of the roof to collapse. The fire was under control by about 8:15 a.m., Kammeyer said.

Several firefighters from around the region were called in to assist with the large blaze, and equipment is blocking the area. County officials sent out the following alert this morning:

The 400 block of Lincoln Circle, Millbrae is currently closed in all directions due to a large non-residential structure fire involving the Millbrae Recreation Center.

Fire personnel, rescue equipment, and Sheriff's Millbrae Patrol Bureau Deputies are on scene conducting emergency operations, investigation and traffic control. Currently, no residential or adjacent structures are threatened.

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. The roadway will be closed until further notice and there is no time estimate given for re-opening.

What's more, any students who have classes or activities at the center are being told to head to the Shae Center at Taylor Middle School 555 Richmond Drive.

Photos and videos from the scene showed smoke filling the vicinity of the blaze, as crews worked for several hours to get it under control.

"Attic fires notoriously difficult," South County Fire Chief. #Millbrae pic.twitter.com/iSj6M3Ft24
— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) July 21, 2016

Firefighters remained at the scene Thursday morning to put out any hot spots. Because of concerns over the structural stability of the building, crews used a drone provided by a private contractor to fly overhead to see
where flames might still be burning, Kammeyer said.

No injuries have been reported, and the building was "a total loss."

The Millbrae Community Center was a popular venue for community events and programs. Kammeyer said a teen camp that was taking place there this week has been relocated to nearby Taylor Middle School.

Patch will continue to update this breaking news story as more information becomes available. Refresh for the latest.

-Renee Schiavone and Bay City News contributed to this report, Main Image via Shutterstock