UPDATE: Flames tear through Sea Galley restaurant in Anchorage early Thursday

Large plumes of smoke were spotted billowing out of the Sea Galley restaurant in midtown Anchorage after a fire broke out somewhere inside the restaurant early Thursday.

Anchorage Fire Department was on the scene as of 6:30 a.m. Around 12 AFD fire trucks were at the scene.

"When we got here, there was plenty of smoke coming from different openings," said Capt. Dan Joyner of the Anchorage Fire Department.

"We started with regular fire operations," he added. "Eventually, we called the greater alarm."

So far there is no indication that anyone was inside the building, and no injuries have been reported.

Flames could be seen flickering from the second story windows as smoke poured out and AFD doused the area with water cannons.

A Channel 2 crew was at the scene shortly after the fire was reported. The blaze continued to burn through the morning and into the afternoon Thursday.

"When we go into a defensive mode, pouring water from the outside, it's hard to get into all the spots," Joyner said. "There's a lot of hidden fire we can't get to."

The business itself, Sea Galley, shut down last October after being operational in Anchorage for more than 36 years. The lot was reportedly sold months ago, and the building set up for demolition. Because of this and other factors, fire crews decided to let the building burn down.

The investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing.