Firefighters with East Gwillimbury Fire Department have been battling flames and thick smoke for almost 2-1/2 hours Sunday to contain an early-morning blaze at the Mount Albert Fire Hall.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing above rooftops.

One resident, who thought a house was on fire, couldn't believe it was the fire hall that was burning.

With East Gwillimbury crews on site, Central-York, Georgina and Whitchurch-Stouffville departments will cover off the rest of the municipality under mutual aid agreements.