T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department continues to battle smoldering hot spots around 10 a.m. Monday at Devendra’s Auto Shop after a fire broke out around 3 a.m.

BELLAIRE — Devendra’s Auto Shop is a total loss and three firefighters needed medical attention after a fire broke out early Monday.

As of 10 a.m., the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department was still at the scene containing the smoldering hot spots.

The fire department was first called out at 3:20 a.m. after the Bellaire Police Department received an alert from Belmont County Dispatch that the alarm had gone off in the shop at 3:15 a.m.

Two firefighters from the OR&W Fire District were transported to the hospital after they collapsed, along with one from the Bellaire VFD who had trouble breathing. All three first responders have since been released from the hospital, according to Bellaire Assistant Fire Chief T.J. Bell.

Police Chief J.J. Watson said the alarm most likely went off after the fire started because it has a motion sensor. Once it was evident the building was on fire, the police department called out the fire department.

The police assisted at the scene until about 8:20 a.m.

Other departments that provided assistance included OR&W Fire District, Neffs EMS, Martins Ferry VFD and the Belmont County Tanker Task Force for water supply.

No one was in the building at the time of the fire.

The shop was ruled a total loss since the flames spread throughout the building. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation by the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office.