Fire at Chelsea warehouse contained after roof partially collapses
CHELSEA - Smoke could be seen for miles around Chelsea Thursday as a fire gutted a vacant warehouse and caused the roof to partially collapse.
Heavy smoke a concern for neighbors
It started around 10 a.m. in the basement a commercial building on Revere Beach Parkway that was once home to Russo's Tuxedo Shop.
"There's a lot of elderly people that live on Garfield Avenue and the surrounding areas," said Chelsea resident Bob Borden. "So we've told everybody to keep their windows and their doors closed."
No one was hurt and there's no word yet on how the fire started.
"The smell is good for nobody," said Chelsea resident Jesus Lopez. "So we're really concerned about so much smoke."
"It's just whatever's in there is all combustible, there's no sprinkler system," said Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri. "Right now, the fire's just running its course. We're not putting anyone in, it's too dangerous. Sections of the roof have already collapsed. So we're just going to stay for exterior operations and keep dumping water on it."
A triple-decker home nearby was evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading.
"She's happy because there's no damage to the house," said Chelsea resident Sandy Pinera through an interpreter.
Firefighters from Belmont, Medford, Everett and Revere were also called in to help. The fire has since been put out and Thursday evening, firefighters were still on scene looking for hotspots.