WORCESTER—A massive three-alarm fire tore through a commercial building on Main Street late Monday, destroying several businesses and keeping firefighters on scene for more than 12 hours, as reported by MassLive.
Firefighters were called to 821 Main St. shortly after 8 p.m. and arrived to find heavy smoke and flames pouring from the structure, according to NBC Boston. Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche said a partial floor collapse forced crews out of the building and into defensive operations.
The building housed several businesses, including a pizza shop, a hair salon, and a retail space under construction. All were destroyed in the blaze, though no injuries were reported, as noted by NBC Boston.
The fire is believed to have started in a vacant basement unit before spreading rapidly through a shared attic space, 7NEWS WHDH reported. The structure was deemed unsafe for reentry after part of the roof and upper floor gave way.
One business owner told WCVB that he lost everything in the fire but was thankful no one was hurt. “We are immigrants, and we come over here just trying to do something for a living,” he said. “It’s a big loss, but luckily no one got hurt.”
Traffic on Main Street was closed for hours as crews battled the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to MassLive.
