JOHN DAY, OR -- Firefighters from Bend, Redmond and Jefferson County assisted John Day crews overnight Monday, battling a commercial blaze in downtown John Day. According to Grant County Emergency Management, the fire broke out just before 6 p.m. at 139 E. Main Street.

John Day Fire crews arrived within minutes and found fire spreading from one business to neighboring buildings. Nearby restaurants were evacuated and additional fire resources responded from Canyon City, Prairie City and Mt. Vernon. Over the next five hours, they worked to supress the fire in a row of commercial buildings.

Under mutual aid, the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office coordinated a task force, bringing in crews from Bend, Redmond and Jefferson County to relieve on-site firefighters overnight. Central Oregon units arrived at about 1 a.m. Tuesday and took over for crews who had been working for seven hours

At least four busineses suffered damage from fire, smoke and/or water. By daylight Tuesday, most crews had cleared the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

Photos: courtesy Grant County Emergency Mgmt. (top left) Bend Fire assists in John Day. (upper right) Jefferson County Fire's ladder stretches over the fire. (above) Daylight shows damage to several downtown John Day buildings.