INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- A large fire on Friday morning completely destroyed an Institute barbershop frequented by West Virginia State University students.

The blaze began around 9 a.m. inside unoccupied apartments above Don Juan's Barbershop at 5016 Fairlawn Ave., said Chris Thornhill, Dunbar Fire Department shift commander.

No one lived in the apartments and those inside the shop escaped unharmed, Thornhill said. The blaze had completely engulfed the upstairs of the building by the time Dunbar firefighters arrived a short time later, Thornhill said.

Firefighters eventually brought in a ladder truck to fight the blaze from above, he said. The fire was contained about an hour later.