Photo by Graham Cullen Firefighters battle a blaze that began in a pizzeria on South Main Street in Mount Airy on Sunday morning. In addition to the restaurant, apartments above the pizzeria and a business next door were destroyed.

Seven businesses and five households suffered more than $4 million in damages, according to the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.

Emergency responders from Frederick , Montgomery, Carroll and Howard counties were called to the fire at 4:16 a.m., according to the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.

The first units on the scene found flames and smoke pouring from the windows of Laurienzo's Brick Oven CafŽ at 200 South Main St.

Rescue workers immediately searched the building and found people sleeping in an upstairs apartment. Adjacent apartments were searched and all occupants were accounted for as the fire progressed rapidly to two neighboring buildings.

Five other businesses were destroyed: A Do or Dye, a hair salon; Deja Vu, a clothing store; Inspiration Point, an interior decorating business; an individually owned computer business; and Retro Metro, a home decor store.

The fire also damaged Old Towne Restaurant, which will have to close for repairs, the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company reported.

The Central Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross sent five volunteers to help five displaced households from the upstairs apartments, said Doug Lent, public relations and marketing associate.

The Red Cross provided the families with food, clothes and temporary shelter, Lent said.

Bruce Laurienzo, who owns the pizzeria with his brother, Jay Laurienzo, said the building dates back to 1924.

Investigators believe the fire started in the pizzeria's kitchen.

None of the buildings had sprinkler systems.

Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading to the Town Hall at 110 S. Main St.

Firefighters had to remain outside the buildings because roofing collapsed and conditions were not safe, said Robert Farver, spokesman for Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services.

Rescue workers brought water from nearby ponds and firefighters got permission from town officials to use municipal water.

In late July, the town adopted water restrictions in response to drought-like conditions in the area since late April.

The restrictions target wasteful water use, according to a town newsletter, and will be in effect until Sept. 15.

Police closed several roads in the area while firefighters remained on the scene, pumping water for several hours before demolishing two of the three buildings.

The third building sustained smoke and water damage, the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company reported.

Rescue workers remained on the scene until 4:42 p.m.

Mike Harry and Jacob Higgins, both 17, watched as thick smoke engulfed the buildings. Both are employees at the pizzeria.

"I was supposed to work this morning," Higgins said.

Higgins has been working as a cook, cleaner and a server at the restaurant for six months.

Harry has worked at Laurienzo's since it opened in February 2006, he said.

"We closed (Saturday night) just like we do every night," Higgins said. After cleaning the pizzeria's brick oven, "We put huge iron doors over it."

The two said they will look for new jobs.

A number of town residents expressed their sadness and said they hope the pizzeria reopens,

Joanne Sapp, of Mount Airy , owns Deja Vu. Her daughter, Kirsten Sapp, 18, said she lives and breathes her store.

Kirsten said the business moved to South Main Street in October 2006. Her mother recently made lots of renovations and was about to offer a sale on prom dresses.

"I can't even believe it," Kirsten said, watching the buildings collapse to the ground.