WASHINGTON - A fire broke out Wednesday night at a hardware store near Washington's Capitol Hill, and it is not immediately clear if there are any casualties.

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire which broke out Wednesday night at a hardware store near Washington's Capitol Hill, June 5, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The fire broke out at Frager's hardware and paint store, on the southeast side of the Capitol Hill, sending black smoke billowing over the neighborhood, which could be seen miles away.

The store, on Pennsylvania Avenue SE in Capitol Hill, was established in 1920, and is a popular spot in the neighborhood and is often an area to stage political events.

The fire drew dozens of firefighters, and Pennsylvania Avenue SE was closed for two blocks.