ST. LOUIS—A fire broke out at the Railway Exchange Building, an abandoned high rise in downtown St. Louis. 

The flames were on the ground floor and St. Louis City tweeted that the firefighters worked diligently to knock out the flames and prevent it from spreading. 

A spokesperson with the fire department said there were concerns the flames would spread vertically due since there are large open spaces in the vacant building. 

The department lost a K9 officer earlier this year when it fell through an elevator shaft during an investigation.

Officials say it appears the fire started outside the building and the flames moved inside. An investigation is still underway. 

The fire came the same day Alderwoman Cara Spencer introduced a bill proposing to allow eminent domain to allow City Hall to take control of the historic property.

The building was once home to Famous-Barr’s flagship store.