BY DENICE THIBODEAU

Media General News Service

DANVILLE -- A fire believed to have started in a pile of demolition debris at the Long Mill site this afternoon has engulfed buildings and closed Danville's Union Street Bridge.

Witnesses said that at about 4:15 p.m. only the huge pile of debris from ongoing demolition was on fire. By 5 p.m., at least one building was engulfed in flames and the Danville Fire Department was battling the blaze from at least five directions while trying to prevent nearby trees and homes from catching on fire. Lt. John Henderson of the Danville Police Department said some nearby residences have been evacuated.

For updates, check inRich.com later.

Denice Thibodeau is a staff writer for The Register & Bee in Danville.