Southbridge Fire
Summary:
On August 19, 2023, a fire broke out at a commercial building in Southbridge, Massachusetts, resulting in extensive damage and displacing multiple businesses.
Timeline:
- 9:08 PM: Firefighters receive a call about a fire at 14 Mechanic Street, a mixed-use building housing several businesses.
- 9:12 PM: Firefighters arrive on the scene and encounter heavy smoke and flames.
- 9:30 PM: The fire is brought under control, but not before causing significant damage to the building and its contents.
- 10:00 PM: Firefighters remain on the scene to extinguish hot spots and investigate the cause of the fire.
Details:
The fire started in the rear of the building and quickly spread throughout the structure. Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including crews from neighboring towns.
The building housed several businesses, including a hair salon, a restaurant, and a painting company. All the businesses were displaced due to the fire damage.
Injuries:
No injuries were reported in the fire.
Cause:
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Southbridge Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Impact:
The fire caused significant damage to the building and its contents. The cost of the damage is estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
Several businesses have been displaced as a result of the fire, and it is unclear when they will be able to reopen.
Current Status:
Firefighters have extinguished the blaze, but they remain on the scene to monitor the situation and investigate the cause of the fire.
The building has been deemed unsafe and is closed until further notice.
Community Response:
The Southbridge community has come together to support the businesses that were affected by the fire. Several fundraisers have been organized to help cover the costs of repairs and lost inventory.
Local businesses have also offered space to the displaced businesses to help them continue operating until their own spaces can be repaired.
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