NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk Fire-Rescue was at the scene of a commercial structure fire at a strip mall on West 21st Street Wednesday morning.

According to officials, crews were dispatched just before 10:30 a.m. to the 700 block of W. 21st St. in reference to a fire.

Fire Chief Glen Williams told 10 On Your Side that heavy smoke damage could be found in the entire block of buildings. Williams said the fire appeared to have originated from the rear of the Crudo Nudo restaurant.

The fire forced the temporary closure of five businesses in a strip mall in Ghent, leaving heavy smoke damage at Crudo Nudo, a local restaurant known for its Spanish and Asian influences.

The fire, which was said to have been internal, caused five businesses along the strip mall, including Pho 79, Mr. Shawarma, Crudo Nudo, The Vitamin Shoppe and Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant, to have to temporarily close.

The blaze erupted about 30 minutes before Crudo Nudo was set to open. Fire crews were forced to enter several locked buildings during the response, which was upgraded to a second alarm.

W. 21st Street fire (WAVY photo)

W. 21st Street fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)

W. 21st Street fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)

W. 21st Street fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)

W. 21st Street fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)

The fire was said to have been put out in about 10 minutes.

Crudo Nudo owner Eric Nelson described the scene as “pretty bad.”

“I mean, it's the first-time fire, but it's a lot of damage, you know," he said, "and it's about this time seven years ago ... when I opened up [and] signed a lease for Crudo. So this is a little a little disturbing.”

Nelson said that while the damage is significant, he remains hopeful that insurance will cover most of the losses. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.