Fire at Chelsea warehouse brought under control after partial roof collapse

CHELSEA – Smoke could be seen for miles around Chelsea on Thursday as a fire tore through a vacant warehouse and caused the roof to partially collapse.

Thick smoke worries neighbors

It started around 10 a.m. in the basement of a commercial building on Revere Beach Parkway that formerly housed Russo's Tuxedo Shop.

“There are a lot of older people living on and around Garfield Avenue,” said Bob Borden, a Chelsea resident. “So we told everyone to keep their windows and doors closed.”

No one was injured and it is not yet known how the fire started.

“The smell is not good for anyone,” said Chelsea resident Jesus Lopez. “So we’re really concerned about so much smoke.”

“It's just everything inside is completely combustible, there's no sprinkler system,” Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri said. “For the moment, the fire is running its course. We are not installing anyone, it is too dangerous. Sections of the roof have already collapsed. We are therefore going to stay for exterior operations and continue to pour water on it.”

A nearby three-story house was evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters managed to prevent the flames from spreading.

“She’s happy because there’s no damage to the house,” Chelsea resident Sandy Pinera said through an interpreter.

Firefighters from Belmont, Medford, Everett and Revere were also called to help. The fire has since been brought under control and as of Thursday evening, firefighters were still on scene looking for hot spots.