A 6-UNIT SHOPPING PLAZA IN PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, was completely destroyed Sunday morning.  A fire was reported at 3 am and it quickly spread through the building’s common attic.

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Virginian-Pilot / Crow photo

The mini-mall’s location along a creek bed complicated the firefighting efforts by restricting the operations to one side of the building.  Investigators are still trying to determine the cause.  The ATF has automatically responded also because one of the business was a gun shop.

The 25-yr.-old shopping center is a family-owned operation and the owners are already saying that they will replace building.