SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – About 40 firefighters battling a massive blaze at a vacant Springfield factory Sunday night had their work cut out for them.

Some firefighters had to fend off rocks thrown by people gathered behind the burning building, Springfield Fire spokesman Dennis Leger told The Republican of Springfield. They were apparently upset they were told to leave the area around the fire.

Two were arrested from the crowd of about 100 people, said police officer Karen Simmons.

Firefighters’ attempts to put out the blaze were hampered when water lines used to fight the fire had to be removed twice to allow two freight trains to pass, Leger said.

Their efforts were also hindered by a 10-foot-high brick wall and thick brush behind the building, Leger said.

“It was a nightmare to get the lines to the building,” Leger added.

No one was reported injured, but the two-alarm fire almost entirely gutted the brick, metal and wooden building, that is owned by the city of Springfield.

The warehouse fire was reported shortly after a suspicious brush fire was extinguished on nearby Murray Hill Avenue. Leger said the warehouse fire looks suspicious.

The fire forced traffic diversions and delayed one Amtrak train.

AP-ES-09-01-03 0349EDT

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