Building damaged in Highland Strip blaze did not have sprinkler system

Logan McGowan was working next door and says it took crews three minutes to arrive on the scene.

"We looked out and smoke was just billowing out of this building and we saw it above the top, I didn't see any flames but they started to crowd around and they started to pour water on it and its just getting worse and worse," said McGowan.

Smoke filled the street, with the sun peaking in and out of the brown clouds.

"They started just hacking off the front of it, breaking the windows to get water in the front of it as well," added McGowan.

Neighbors rushed over to find Signatures Custom Apparel shop fully engulfed.

"It was getting bad and they were keeping it contained until they moved over to Division 9 and that's when it got a little bit worse," said Michael James.

Two firefighters were injured during the recovery efforts, one treated for smoke inhalation and the other for a cut to the forehead.

The second alarm fire brought 39 pieces of equipment and 93 people, rotating crews every 15 minutes. Spencer Lucas with Second Light Productions came to the scene to capture drone footage.

"I saw this and I had to get a shot of it," said Lucas.

Memphis fire officials say the age of the building made it difficult to fight.

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Building damaged in Highland Strip blaze did not have sprinkler system