CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Fire tore through Roosters in Clarksville, Indiana, early Monday, and officials say the business is "a total loss." 

The Clarksville Fire Department was called to the Roosters on Greentree Boulevard, near the Green Tree Mall, around 5 a.m.  According to Clarksville Fire Department Chief Brandon Skaggs, crews arrived to find the building full of smoke.

Hours later, crews were still at the scene monitoring hot spots as smoke continued to rise from the rubble. Potentially strong wind gusts in the forecast could make firefighters' jobs more difficult. 

In a written statement, Skaggs said crews moved inside to attack the fire but were forced to retreat because of the thick smoke and intense heat from the flames. He said the large amount of furniture and equipment in the building also hampered firefighters' efforts.

"The building has one common attic space which allowed the fire to travel to the whole building," Skaggs said in the statement. "The building has already suffered two collapses because of that, so we decided to go to defensive mode to protect our firefighters."

Skaggs said the building is a total loss.

"I hate this for our community because this is an important business and a popular community gathering space for local residents," Skaggs said. "Especially with March Madness coming up, this will be a major loss for the business and for our community."

Roosters employs about 100 people at the Clarksville location. Management at the restaurant said there are plans to file mass unemployment for the staff at the Clarksville location. Roosters also has five other locations in Louisville.

Owner Tony Crish said he plans to rebuild in Clarksville. 

"We're going to be back," Crish said. "They have a great group of employees, the managers are great. We're going to do our part to get everything back. Looking at the flames and smoke now, it's hard to see that that's going to happen, but I know that we'll be back, and everything will be as good as we can make it." 

While owners figure out next steps, several area restaurants have extended a helping hand to the employees who worked at Roosters. Union Restaurant and Gameyard in Jeffersonville said it is offering jobs to those employees impacted by the fire.

The Clarksville fire chief has advised Crish to secure the building after all hot spots are out. Crish said he isn't sure what his next immediate steps will be. 

Jeffersonville Fire crews assisted at the scene, and the New Albany Fire department was on standby.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but Crish said he believes it may have started in the kitchen. 

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