Thick black smoke poured over Brockton on Saturday afternoon after a large fire broke out near the Westgate Mall, sending residents scrambling for their phones and cameras as a towering plume rose behind 65 Westgate Drive. As of early reports, officials had not confirmed any injuries or identified a cause.
WCVB reported that viewer photos showed dramatic columns of smoke in the area and noted that the station had reached out to the Brockton Fire Department for more information. According to WCVB, it remained unclear whether anyone was hurt or what started the blaze.
Where the Smoke Came From
The plume appeared to rise from behind Westgate Lanes, the entertainment complex at 65 Westgate Drive that features a large bowling center and pub. Westgate Lanes lists that address on its website, and the venue sits next to the broader Westgate Mall shopping area.
Local Context
The Westgate Mall corridor has seen serious incidents in recent years, including a March 2025 shooting in the mall's parking lot, according to CBS Boston. That history has kept public-safety coverage trained on the Westgate area, and a new column of black smoke only added to neighborhood unease.
At the time of reporting, emergency officials had not released any additional details about the fire or possible injuries. This story will be updated as the Brockton Fire Department or other authorities provide new information.
