Fire at building under construction on Larry Uteck in Halifax has been extinguished

A fire at a 12-storey building under construction along the 300 block of Larry Uteck Boulevard in Halifax has been extinguished.

Crews were called to the scene Friday morning as heavy, billowing smoke could be seen across Halifax.

"Upon arrival, crews made their way to the roof to confirm that [the structure] had a fire on the roof with the building materials," said Brad Connors, district chief in the operations division of Halifax Regional Fire.

"They were in the process of roofing the structure at the time [of the fire.]"

Witnesses said the fire was mostly isolated to the roof, and also burned the nearby crane.

"I went out to my balcony and there it was, like literally black smoke," said Pam Valkenier, who lives in a neighbouring apartment building.

"The whole roof was on fire — unbelievable — and flames shooting up."

Connors said roofing materials like insulation and tar were burning, causing the smoke.

He said about 70 per cent of the roof was was on fire when crews arrived.

Construction workers and the crane operator were able to evacuate from the building safely before crews arrived. No one was injured.

Larry Uteck Boulevard from the intersection of Starboard Drive to Southgate Drive was closed Friday morning due to the fire. The area has since reopened.

A stop-work order has been issued by the provincial Labour Department and an inspection is ongoing.