COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) — A fire at an auto body shop in downtown Coos Bay killed three veteran firefighters Monday and led to the evacuation of downtown businesses.

The fire blazed for about 1 1/2 hours, said Coos Bay Police Capt. Eura Washburn. The blaze paralyzed downtown Coos Bay, where power was shut off, telephone lines were tied up and businesses were evacuated.

Linda Dufner, a nursing supervisor at Bay Area Hospital, said one of the firefighters, 33-year-old Robert Charles Hanners, of Coos Bay, died after he arrived at the hospital.

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The two others, both Coos Bay residents, died inside the building when the roof caved in while they were on the second floor. Their names were not released.

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