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HOOVER, Alabama — A two-alarm fire at a Hoover apartment complex was extinguished about 10:30 a.m., but firefighters and arson investigators will remain on the scene for most of the day.

Authorities believe the blaze, which destroyed the clubhouse and leasing office at The Abbey at Wisteria Crest, was deliberately set.

“Due to some observations by firefighters and witnesses at the scene, the fire is being investigated as suspicious,” said Rusty Lowe, a spokesman for the Hoover Fire Department. “The fire had some pretty good headway when we arrived, which is suspicious in itself.”

A passerby spotted smoke coming from the roof of the building on Little Valley Road about 6 a.m. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had gotten into the walls and ceilings, Lowe said.

Fire at Hoover apartment complex (raw video) A fire at The Abbey apartment complex in Hoover can be seen through the trees along I-65 between Hwy. 31 and I-459 on the morning of June 10, 2011. Firefighters fought to control the blaze — water and foam can be seen cascading down the hill. Smoke rose high into the air and could be seen as far as the Summit. Watch video

Firefighters attempted to fight the fire from the interior and make an aggressive attack, but the fire reached beyond control and they were forced to back out.

No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The actual apartment buildings were spared any damage.

“A big part of the effort was to save the adjoining structure, which was occupied,” Lowe said.

About 35 firefighters battled the blaze, rotating in different crews to avoid heat-related injuries because of the high temperatures.

“I believe it was already 80 degrees at that time of the morning,” Lowe said.

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