SPOKANE -- Firefighters blame a blow torch for a three-alarm fire that destroyed the Empire Cold Storage facility near Freya & Alki in East Spokane.

Roger Hatcher, KREM 2 News

Flames shoot from Empire Cold Storage in East Spokane.

The fire, which started around 9:30 a.m., sent a giant plume of smoke into the air. Within an hour, much of the building was engulfed in flames.

Authorities say a few days ago an awning at the building collapsed and ruptured a gas line. A private contractor was hired to fix the problem, but in the process of cutting away metal today, a blow torch appears to have sparked the fire.

Only three employees were working at the business there today. No one was hurt.

Fire investigators hope to get a better look inside the building on Wednesday.