DEXTER, Mo. (AP) -- A huge fire in the southeast Missouri town of Dexter has destroyed two businesses, but firefighters were able to put out the blaze before it engulfed other buildings in the business district.

KFVS-TV (http://bit.ly/TqAcHU ) reports that the fire broke out just after midnight Friday. Firefighters believe it began at a tattoo parlor, but the cause is not yet known. At one point an entire block was threatened.

Firefighters extinguished the fire after it destroyed the tattoo parlor and a home decor store. A flower shop and other businesses on the block had some smoke damage.

A roof collapsed on two firefighters but they managed to get away unhurt.