Galax firefighters were called about 7 a.m. Friday to the 200 block of South Main Street, where a thick column of gray smoke billowed from the roof and upstairs apartment windows of the building. Fire soon broke through the roof and out the windows.

Firefighters believe the fire started upstairs but have not yet determined a cause. It was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries in the blaze, but officials were able to account for most of the building's tenants.

The building also houses Altered Edge, a comic book and gaming store.

Truck carrying gasoline catches fire

The brakes of a tank truck carrying 8,600 gallons of gasoline caught fire in Botetourt County on Friday evening, a fire chief said.

Deputy Chief John Crouch of the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department said once the brakes caught fire, the tires and the backside of the vehicle were soon covered in flames. The incident occurred about 7:30 p.m. near mile marker 162 when the driver was stopping at an Exxon station.

Crouch said the fire was out in about 10 minutes, but crews stayed for about two and a half hours as the vehicle cooled to make sure it was safe. U.S. 11 was closed while the vehicle was burning, and there were no injuries.

-- Lerone Graham