Firefighters say an early-morning fire was difficult to extinguish due to equipment blocking access in the building.

Early Wednesday morning at 5:35 a.m. in the first 100 block of Hoka Street, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived at the scene of what they believed was an exterior fire in a commercial/industrial building

While extinguishing the fire, they discovered it extended into the facility. At this point, fire crews began launching an offensive attack on the fire. During this time, heavy smoke near a paper compactor and conveyor equipment made it difficult to find and access the fire.

Using a drone, the WFPS was able to locate hot spots. By 7:24 a.m., the fire was under control.

There were no occupants inside the building at the time and no injuries were reported. 

The WFPS says the cause of the fire is under investigation.