'We'll pick up the pieces and go from there:' Building owner reacts after fire erupts in Madera

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Flames and smoke billowing out of the building on Yosemite Avenue could be seen for miles.

It was just after 3 p.m. when CalFire was called to the downtown Madera mini-mall.

At one point more than 50 firefighters, from Merced to Fresno, attacked the flames

"This building was built in the 1800's it was non-sprinklered, and it was just over 35,000 square feet," said Division Chief Jeremy Rahn.

Most of the building collapsed.

"This is the backbone of who we are so I'm devastated that this happened," said Mayor Andy Medellin.

The fire erupted as people were shopping inside, remarkably no injuries were reported.

"It was a mini-mall with a number of small businesses in there with patrons and business owners inside there," Medellin said.

"It's heartbreaking," building owner Susan Savage says. The building had been in her family for three generations.

"A lot of love has gone into it, so we're back to square one. We'll pick up the pieces and go from there," she said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.