Firefighters rushed to an ABC Supply Co. branch on Beverage Hill Ave., in Pawtucket, R.I., last Thursday afternoon, and an investigation is still underway into a fire that ripped through the commercial building on Thanksgiving Day.
According to CBS local affiliate WPRI, firefighters rushed to the ABC Supply Co. building around 2:30 p.m. to find flames shooting from the back of the building; smoke from the blaze could be seen enveloping the surrounding area and for several miles from the scene.
Battalion Chief David Cairrao told WPRI the fire likely started outside the building, though the exact origin is still under investigation. Cairrao said a metal-clad two-story structure abutting the building collapsed, allowing the fire to make its way inside, which spread quickly due to the highly flammable building materials stored within the building.
Reports said it took firefighters several hours to knock down the fire.
“The [building materials were] packed floor to ceiling,” Cairro said. “So, there’s no way we could see if we were actually hitting fire.”
There’s no indication that anyone was inside the building at the time. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.