Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Binghamton fire investigators and insurance adjusters are working to determine the cause of a blaze that tore through the Ellis Brothers furniture store on Water Street.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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There were no reported injuries related to Wednesday's fire which gutted the four-story brick building just north of Court Street.

Lieutenant Jeffery DeRado, a city fire investigator, said conditions inside the building were dangerous because of the extensive damage. He said there's been some limited access to the first level of the building.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Fire department officials have said there were no initial indications that the fire may have been suspicious. But fire investigators have not ruled out any possible causes.

The Ellis family has indicated a desire to rebuild at the site of the blaze. There's been no word regarding the possibility of salvaging some of the brick building.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Some nearby businesses were affected by the fire.

Barbells of Binghamton on Court Street sustained smoke damage. Ozone equipment was being used to clear the air Thursday and a sign indicated the business would open Friday.

The Nirchi's Pizza restaurant on Water Street remains closed because of smoke damage. Location manager John Hanrahan says the business was "pretty fortunate" because damage was minimal. A window was broken by firefighters to gain access to the building to determine the fire had not spread from the neighboring structure.

Hanrahan says a restoration company has been working to deal with the smoke odor and other minor issues. He says he expects the restaurant to be open by Monday.

The Water Street Brewery is expected to reopen at noon Friday. Co-owner Michele Bleicher says the business was "very, very, very lucky" because it sustained only smoke damage. She says air scrubbers are being used to remove the traces of smoke from the fire.

Galaxy Brewing Company on Court Street utilized air purification equipment to remove smoke. The business was able to resume operations Thursday morning.

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