A three-alarm fire tonight gutted the recently vacated Mercury News Palo Alto bureau as well as the Walgreens store below it. As of 11:25 p.m., firefighters were still attempting to knock down the blaze that was reported at around 9:30 p.m. A dispatcher said firefighters didn’t believe anyone was inside the building at 310 University Ave. The cause has yet to be determined. The Mercury News had leased space for its news bureau in the downtown building since 1993, but closed it a few months ago as a cost-cutting measure. However, the Merc’s sign facing University Avenue could be seen amid the fire truck ladders tonight. (Photo credit: Dave Price)