Haru Sushi restaurant in South Anchorage was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday. (Anchorage Fire Department video by Assistant Chief Alex Boyd)

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A sushi restaurant across the street from the Dimond Center mall in South Anchorage was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday, with flames too intense for crews to enter the structure.

Anchorage Fire Department dispatchers said the blaze at Haru Sushi, 729 E. Dimond Blvd., was reported at about 4:15 a.m. Responding crews found flames rising through the roof, forcing them to take a defensive posture to contain the fire.

AFD Assistant Chief Alex Boyd said at the scene there were no injuries, but the building was likely a total loss. A passerby initially reported the fire, and a total of 17 firefighting units were sent to the call. First responders — diverted from another call — arrived less than a minute later, and the fire was brought under control in about an hour.

The origin and cause of the fire haven't been determined, Boyd said.

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