The cause of a massive blaze that destroyed a four-story brick building on Crescent Street in Jamestown remains under investigation. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

The cause of a massive fire Friday that destroyed a four-story brick building in Jamestown remains under investigation.

The fire at 308 Crescent St., formerly home to the Jamestown-Royal Upholstery Corp., was declared out around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, almost 27 hours after city firefighters were first alerted. In the hundreds of photographs and videos shared on social media, large flames could be seen coming from the century old structure, producing thick, black smoke that was visible from as far away as Cattaraugus County.

The heat from the blaze was so intense at times it could be felt more than two blocks away and quickly melted the siding on a nearby home. Area residents also were forced to evacuate.

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Coon said one firefighter was treated for a non-life-threatening injury suffered while battling the blaze but noted no other injuries. In addition to all available manpower from within the city, volunteers from Falconer, Busti and Kennedy assisted on Crescent Street while Celoron firefighters stood by at city hall. The Jamestown Police Department, Board of Public Utilities, city Department of Development, Chautauqua County EMS, county fire coordinators and Alstar EMS also responded and provided assistance.

The fire gutted the former furniture manufacturing building, causing the roof and floors to collapse. An emergency demolition was ordered, and by Saturday morning all that remained from the structure was a single portion of a wall facing Crescent that eventually came down.

Coon thanked all the first responders who assisted in dousing the flames, and the public in staying away from the dangerous scene. He added that city fire investigators continue to look into what caused the blaze.