Prince George’s County firefighters are investigating a fire that damaged a YMCA center in Bowie early this morning.

Around 4 a.m. at the YMCA at 3501 Moylan Drive, firefighters responded for the report of a possible building fire, according to the county fire/EMS department. When they arrived, firefighters found flames traveling up the side of the building and roofing material being stored outside near the building on fire as well, according to the department.

Firefighters put out the fire before it reached the roof and extended inside, said Mark Brady, chief spokesman for the department. No one was found inside the building during a search after the fire was extinguished, he said.

Brady said the building was a former school building that had been converted into a YMCA.

He said the blaze is now under investigation, and fire damage is estimated at $50,000.

The YMCA in Bowie is now closed. Calls to the YMCA of Prince George’s County were not immediately returned.

djgross@gazette.net