A fire broke out Monday evening at a strip mall on Main Street in Worcester, causing a partial floor collapse and forcing firefighters to evacuate the building. NBC Boston reports that the blaze began on the 800 block of Main Street, affecting a commercial property with four businesses. The Worcester Fire Department responded around 8 p.m. and ordered firefighters out after structural instability was detected.
The fire escalated to a three-alarm response as flames spread through multiple sections of the building, including the basement of 817 Main Street, which was under renovation. Worcester Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche told Boston 25 News that the fire would take several hours to control due to access challenges and water supply issues.
No injuries have been reported. Fire crews remained on-site overnight to extinguish remaining hot spots and assess damage. Businesses affected include a liquor store, a retail shop, Kokoriko’s Pizza & Fried Chicken, and California Hair Design.
According to officials, the fire appeared to have started in a vacant business undergoing renovations. The cause remains under investigation.
