"It was horrifying:" Two firefighters injured while battling suspicious fire near 37th and Hopkins

A fire in a business on Milwaukee’s north side this morning is being investigated as suspicious.  

According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire in Big Doug’s Auto on N Hopkins near N 37^th Street.   

The fire was reported just after 2:30 AM in the 1-story brick building.  

The MFD said two firefighters were injured while fighting the fire. One received a shoulder injury, the other injured a leg. 

Officials report that fighting the fire was difficult due to the construction of the building which made it hard for firefighters to gain access to the structure.  

A witness who called 911 said he used his car horn to try and wake up neighbors in the area because he was afraid that the fire was going to grow.

"A flame flew out of the building you could hear the glass breaking, breaking in the building and everything, it was horrifying," said witness Charles Lewis.

Damage to the building is estimated at $300,000.  

The Milwaukee Fire Department and Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire.