STEPHENSON — The cause of a fire that destroyed a large building in downtown Stephenson remains under investigation.

According to Stephenson Fire Department Public Information Officer Jen Bastien, investigation is ongoing. The State Fire Marshal’s office has not been brought in to the investigation, she said.

The blaze at the three-story building Wednesday brought multiple fire departments to the scene from both Menominee and Delta counties. The structure housed a dog groomer and chiropractor on its lower floor, Bastian said. The upper floor had four occupied apartments. The fire started in one of the apartments, Bastian said.

The fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday by a resident inside the building, as well as passersby who saw the fire. Firefighters spent the next six and a half hour bringing the blaze under control. At the height of firefighting efforts, multiple fire departments from two counties were at the scene. They included the Stephenson Fire Department, Escanaba Township Fire Department, Ford River Fire Department, Nadeau Township Volunteer Fire Department, Middle Inlet Volunteer Fire Department, Daggett Volunteer Fire Department, and Bark River Fire Department, along with the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office.

Bastian said both Mill Street and Railroad Street were closed while firefightes fought then blaze.

No injuries were reported, but a pet was lost during the blaze, Bastian said.

The building was connected to neighboring buildings. Bastian said efforts Thursday centered around removing a concrete wall that connected the burned building with a barber shop next door. The neighboring barbershop and a restaurant were closed Thursday due to the efforts.