A five-unit apartment building at 607 E. Mercer St. — built to replace one that burned down last year — caught fire this morning.

At least eight departments from three counties fought the blaze. The building was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

“Fire was through the roof and coming out the windows,” said Harrisvile Fire Department Chief Steve Bickle.

Bickle said the departments engaged in a defensive attack and used at least one ladder truck.

The building is on the same property as an apartment building that burned down May 17, according to owner Eric Snyder.

Snyder said the building that burned today still was under construction and no one was in it at the time of the fire. He said the plan was to have the building completed in May. Crews were to have begun installing drywall next week.

Bickle said it is not yet known why this morning's fire started, and the state police fire marshal has been called to investigate.

In addition to Harrisville, firefighters who responded were from West Sunbury, Unionville and Marion Township in Butler County, Grove City and Springfield Township in Mercer County, and East End and Clintonville in Venango County.