Spencer, IA (KICD)– Demolition has begun on a building in Downtown Spencer that was heavily damaged by fire earlier this year.

Crews began taking down 221 Grand Avenue, the former home of Edge Boutique, on Thursday starting in the alley and working east.

The fire back in January required nearly eight hours of work from three area fire departments the blaze being contained to the building it ignited in with smoke and water damage being seen in other portions of the block.

Investigators say the cause of the fire will remain unknown due to the extent of the damage, but they do know it started in an upstairs apartment.