News

Firefighters battle multi-alarm fire in Revere

REVERE, Mass. — Firefighters in Revere responded to a multi-alarm fire at a furnishing and appliance store on Saturday afternoon.

Heavy smoke and fire tore through Sozio's Appliance store at 61 Squire Road at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The fire burned for more than six hours, where the black, thick smoke could be seen from miles away.

The fire was put out later in the night, but at around 10 p.m. firefighters were still working to clear out hot spots in order to ensure the building is safe and investigators can go inside.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but neighbors say it'll be strange not to see the store in it's notorious location after it stood there for more than 50 years.

"It's been there my whole life, it's weird to see it literally burn to the ground," said Sean Whiteley, a neighbor.

Deputy Fire Chief Glen Rich says the owner's wife was inside the store at the time of the fire, but was able to escape unharmed.

Rich says it was difficult to get enough water to the building to put out the fire, and that the items inside the store made the fire that much worse.

"Refrigerators, Freon, there were small little explosions everywhere just from the gases within the different appliances that were inside," said Rich.

Despite the massive flames, no injuries were reported.

Fire crews say the building is a total loss, estimating the damage to be anywhere from half a million to a million dollars.