Fire Damages Shopping Plaza, Hurts Local Businesses: Report

WORCESTER, MA — A small fire at a shopping plaza formerly known as the Midtown Mall is causing issues for the businesses located there. @ The Common, a retail plaza located at 17 Mechanic St., was hit by a fire on Saturday, according to the Telegram and Gazette.

The newspaper reported that fire crews responded to the fire on the first floor, which activated the sprinkler system. The sprinklers were deactivated, and firefighters used a hose to put out the remaining flames, according to the Telegram and Gazette.

Jay Grey, the owner of multiple businesses in the building, has started a GoFundMe to raise money to recoup. Grey said that his brewery, Odd By Worcester Brewing, and ramen restaurant Broth both experienced significant water damage after the fire, according to the GoFundMe.

"We’ve suffered the total loss of all our beer and food inventory, and we are still assessing the full extent of the damage to our brewing and kitchen equipment — the very heart of our operations," the GoFundMe reads.

He told the Telegram and Gazette that he estimated the losses to total anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000.

Another business inside the building took a hit. Worcester Common Fitness shared on social media that they aim to reopen on Thursday or Friday. "The gym is cleaned up, and we're putting on the finishing touches," the gym wrote via Instagram story.

Concrete Collection, a vintage and second-hand clothing shop, also in the mall, shared a post on social media, writing, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed until further notice. I am devastated about what has taken place."

The business's owner added that you can continue supporting the business by shopping online.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the Telegram and Gazette. It's also unclear whether it was connected to the severe storm on Saturday.

You can read the full story from the Telegram and Gazette here.

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