NATICK, Mass. — Firefighters have been battling heavy flames and a wall of smoke in a fire that has been burning since about 1:30 Monday morning in a building that houses about eight businesses in downtown Natick.
As of 1 p.m. the fire was "still ongoing but contained," according to police. Firefighters were working to take down the building so they could access the hot spots and put out the remainder of the fire.
Fire in Natick Center is still ongoing but contained. Work has begun to take down building to get to hot spots. Traffic will likely be impacted through evening rush hour.
— Natick Police (@NATICKPOLICE) July 22, 2019
The fire at 7 South Main Street, which is just feet from the Natick Common, grew to 9-alarms by 7 a.m. The building is about 13,000 square feet and houses several small businesses, including a print shop, a Christian Science Reading Room, a Chinese restaurant, a pet groomer, and a gift shop, according to Michael Hickey Jr., the chair of the Natick Board of Selectmen, at a news conference. He said he knew personally of at least one owner who was out of town on vacation.
9+ hrs after #Natick business fire started, FF still working to put it out. @NatickFire chief: 3 FF taken to hosp. Old bldg + renovations posed challenges. Floor & roof compromised. Bldg to be torn down. Area around S Main & E Central Sts closed at least until rush hr. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/7FOfFk7gIb
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) July 22, 2019
Crews had a difficult time finding where the fire started, because the building, originally built in 1900, has been renovated into different units and configurations over the years, Dow said. Firefighters kept running into "hidden void spaces" as they searched for the source of the fire, and had to pull out completely and attack it from the outside.
Sixteen nearby communities have been called in to help as firefighters are using air tanks as they work to contain the blaze and dealing with the hot and humid temperatures.
#BREAKING 5-alarm fire in Natick right now at a business on S Main St. across from the Common. Firefighters battling fire from exterior. Heavy smoke creating poor visibility. Live reports starting at 4:30am @boston25 pic.twitter.com/aau07fUUPg
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) July 22, 2019
At a news conference Monday night, Natick Fire Chief Michael Lentini said three firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.
Crews were forced out of the building as conditions deteriorated and heavy smoke made it difficult to see.
#Update Smoke is again so thick you cannot see the building burning on S Main St across from Natick Common. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/ie7cCiOD0t
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) July 22, 2019
Several streets in the surrounding area have been shut down and a perimeter has been set up to keep people away.
#Update Perimeter set up to keep people back. FF battling fire from exterior some 5+hrs after fire started at Natick business. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/4fV6KtayaR
— Joy Dumandan (@JoyDumandanTV) July 22, 2019
Routes 27 and 135 have been closed -- and are likely to remain closed through the evening commute -- Natick Police tweeted. They are asking drivers to seek alternate routes and to avoid the downtown area.
Natick officials say traffic on Rts 27 and 135 will be restricted likely through the evening commute. Plan accordingly @boston25 pic.twitter.com/04R5TdS2XS
— Catherine Parrotta (@CatherineNews) July 22, 2019
The Nancy Kelly Dance Studio was a Natick institution where Nancy Kelly taught dance for 35 of her 45 teaching years. Her studio was one business that is now out of business as a result of the blaze. But, she views it as a setback.
"This is not a tragedy," she said. "This can be rebuilt because it's only four walls."
Almost 35 years ago, Kelly lost her brother and his fiance when they were killed by a drunk driver. Around the same time, she opened her dance studio.
"The people inside are the people that count," Kelly said. "It's my dance family. My little ones through my adults that I love. And that I love to teach to dance."
It was a member of Nancy Kelly's extended dance family that made a miracle possible on the day her studio burned down. As the fire swelled to eight alarms, unexpected salvation came.
Late this morning, Nancy happened to run into the dad of two girls who take dance lessons at the studio. That dad happened to be a Wayland firefighter who asked what he could do for her.
Kelly responded that she hoped to save something from the studio - something to remember all the years. That firefighter made a call and made Kelly's day.
From the ruins came awards and photos and a recognition that the Nancy Kelly Dance Studio was here. Still, as Kelly reminds everyone, it was only a place.
"We will find another place and we will be dancing soon," she said, proving that you can take away the walls, but you cannot take away the spirit and the determination to come back.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
WATCH LIVENatick acting fire chief giving update on 9-alarm fire as crews continue efforts to put out the blaze.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Monday, July 22, 2019
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