LEWISTON — A mulch fire spread to a basement wall on Lisbon Street on Friday night, causing traffic snarls downtown as firefighters battled the blaze.

Police blocked off sections of Lisbon and Pine streets at about 6:30 p.m. as fire crews from Lewiston and Auburn contended with flames at 221 Lisbon St.

Tenants were evacuated from a few apartments on upper floors. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters had the flames out within minutes but remained at the scene an hour later searching for hot spots in a basement wall.

The cause of the fire was being investigated later Friday. The streets were open again by 8 p.m. and tenants were allowed back in shortly after.

Weather and fire officials for days have been warning of extreme fire danger as dry conditions persist across the region.