Pictured is the aftermath of Monday’s fire in Sheridan Photos by M.J. Stafford

SHERIDAN — An investigation into the cause of a fire that destroyed a building that housed several businesses remains ongoing.

County fire investigators on Tuesday morning were at the 3491 Route 20 property in the town of Sheridan.

For several hours beginning around 5 p.m. Monday, crews worked to douse the stubborn blaze. The county 911 dispatch center had received numerous calls for heavy smoke coming from the building, which housed a pawn shop, pet groomer and car detailing garage. At one time, the property was also a bowling alley.

Firefighters from Sheridan, East Dunkirk, West Dunkirk, Dunkirk, Cassadaga, Silver Creek, Irving, Sunset Bay and Fredonia, among others, responded. In addition, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, Alstar Ambulance and the New York State Police were at the location Monday.

A portion of the structure was leveled due to the fire while the main section appeared gutted.

“Due to the construction of the building, additions and renovations, it took fire fighters several hours to extinguish the fire,” the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

An investigation found that the fire started in the car detailing garage at the rear of the building. “No cause of the fire has been determined yet, and the investigation is continuing,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, some firefighters and investigators stood in a group and discussed the scene. They soon moved out for a tour of the grounds.

The fire was not completely out, according to one firefighter. He said there were still “hot spots” smoking in what was left of the roof.

He added that he was at the scene until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning before going home for a couple hours of sleep.

There were significant traffic backups Tuesday morning on nearby Route 20, due in part to an unrelated road construction project a few hundred yards from the fire scene.