Within hours of the fire that gutted the historic First Ward House saloon, a second fire erupted less than a block away.

The St Joseph Fire Department responded to the report of a destructive fire at 2002 St Joseph Avenue at 1:34am. It soon escalated into a two-alarm fire as crews called in for additional manpower and trucks.

Multiple structures were fully engulfed in flames, and by 3am at least one business, the Rumours Salon at St Joe Avenue and Jefferson Street, had been destroyed.

Crews deployed two aerial trucks, and both were pouring water on the structures from above.