Six flats at West Hill had to be evacuated late on Friday as firefighters fought to prevent the fire spreading to homes.
It took 18 firefighters more than two hours to bring the fire under control, and to protect neighbouring residential and commercial properties.
A spokesman for the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘The fire quickly took hold of the roof and broke through, spreading rapidly along the length of the building.
‘Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were faced with extremely hot and humid conditions as they tried to tackle the fire inside the building and were constantly forced back down the stairs by the extreme temperatures.’
The building destroyed in the fire was located behind Halcyon House, an Andium Homes property of 17 flats, and next to a complex of commercial units that include a design studio, a computer supply company and a window-fitting business.
States Fire and Rescue Station Commander Mark Le Cornu said: ‘I am extremely proud of my crews, as their hard work and efforts undoubtedly saved a couple of adjoining buildings and businesses from also being destroyed by this fire.’
Eyewitness Trish Hayward, who lives next door to the site, said it was about 8.40 pm when she heard fire engine sirens.
‘I could see smoke coming out from under the roof tiles, then the firemen arrived and we were trying to get out of their way.’
