Firefighters were called to the former Grace Hospital site after a fire broke out early Friday evening, sending up thick, black smoke that could be seen for kilometres.

Windsor fire officials say the fire that was first reported around 5 p.m. originated on the roof of the building at 339 Crawford Avenue.

Crawford Avenue from University Avenue to Wyandotte Street was closed to traffic as fire crews tackled the blaze.

By around 6 p.m. most of the smoke appeared have stopped, but fire crews remained at the scene pouring water onto the roof with police and paramedics nearby.

Shortly afer 7:30 p.m. officials Tweeted that the fire was finally out and that it appeared construction materials and debris on the roof had been fuelling the flames.

They are also assuring the public that none of the materials buring are considered to be hazardous.

There were no injuries, no significant damage and the fire is not expected to impact the demolition schedule.

There is no official word yet on the cause of the fire.

However, a local resident who was watching the demolition work on Friday tells CTV News it appeared crews were using heat to remove the heavy tar covering on the building’s roof.