As of 9am Saturday morning, demolition crews continue to clean up the wreckage at the site of Fred's Furniture.

Crews say clean up will take about 7 to 12 days. The debris will be taken to a nearby landfill.

They say as they clean up process continues, they will monitor the rubble for any hot spots, and alert fire officials if necessary.

Traffic is running smoothly and operating normally on 12th street.

Fire crews in downtown Erie continue to keep watch over a fire that destroyed a nearly 50-year-old business.

It broke out around 4:30am in the area of East 12th and French Streets. The first crews on scene reported smoke coming from the multi-story "Fred's Beds and Furniture." The fire started in the back of the store, and pushed forward, where crews were situated for hours, trying to take down the smoke and flames. There no word yet on the amount of damage, and no reports of any injuries, but one firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

Fire Chief Tony Pol tells Erie News Now that the Belle Valley Fire Company assisted the city, and helped save the restaurant next door, Dominick's. The owner of Dominick's had been asleep in an upstairs apartment and was alerted to get out,through a phone call. William Rieger says he never keeps his phone on while sleeping, but luckily had it on, overnight.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area around 12th and French Streets as firefighters monitor the scene. The Taco Bell, located across the street from the scene, has been providing coffee and food to the firefighters, fighting the blaze, in the cold conditions.