VIRGINIA BEACH -- A warehouse fire warranted three alarms Monday afternoon.

The fire reportedly started when a light fixture fell on a computer and some papers at Allied Technology Group, one of the businesses in the warehouse on the 4800 block of Columbus Street.

An employee suffered a minor leg injury trying to escape the fire and a firefighter suffered minor smoke inhalation battling the flames.

Among the businesses affected is Bill's Flea Market.

Just under 200 people were working in the building when the fire started.

Firefighters thought they had the fire knocked down just before 1:00 p.m., but another big flare-up lasted long into the afternoon.

Ninety percent of the warehouse is filled with computers, and fire officials say the material of the structure also poses a challenge because it expands when heated. The roof has caved in, and firefighters were forced to battle flames from outside.

As of 5:45 p.m., firefighters were waiting for the roof to collapse, at which point they would attack whatever was left of the fire. Officials said it was not safe for firefighters to be inside the structure. By 1:00 a.m, the fire was finally under control.

Earlier in the day, the doors slammed shut on firefighters when they attempted to fight the fire from the inside, but they were able to get out of the building unscathed.

Firefighters from Chesapeake and Norfolk participated in the battle.