Firefighters respond to burning shopping center in the Poconos

Fountain Court Shopping Center in Bartonsville was destroyed by fire on Sunday.

Route 611 was closed in both directions, and the Pocono Township Fire Department asked drivers to stay clear. More than 30 fire companies, including multiple New Jersey companies, had responded by late morning. PPL and the Salvation Army also responded and construction equipment was at the scene.

Tankers were leaving and returning in a constant flow, with at least six tankers pulling into the plaza in one 10-minute span. They refilled at fire hydrants along Route 611.

In photos posted by the Stroudsburg Fire Department on Facebook Sunday morning, flames could be seen on the plaza's second floor and roof.

In a 12:08 p.m. post, the department said it was "still a very active scene" and added, "Crews from across 6 counties and 2 states are working to extinguish the blaze. Unfortunately the plaza is damaged extensively."

Crews were initially called out a little after 7 a.m., according to a Facebook Live update from the Stroudsburg Fire Department, and were expected to be on scene through the afternoon.

By mid-afternoon, the building was reduced to charred remains.

Traffic remained heavy through detours as the fire personnel continued to work on scene. Construction machinery was moving through the debris as tankers continued to pump water on the smoldering rubble.

Among the destroyed businesses are Trap Door Escape Room, Farmhouse Cafe, Subway, Pho Saigon II, Elegant Boutique, Luxe Aesthetics Med Spa, Terrery Dental, Vida Bowl, Pyramid Healthcare and My Nail Spa.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Fountain Court plaza in Poconos destroyed by fire Sunday