Peabody Fire Closes Breaking Grounds Cafe; Northeast Arc Seeks Donations To Offset Costs

PEABODY, MA — Northeast Arc is looking for donations to offset program-related costs associated with the damage sustained during firefighting operations at Breaking Grounds Cafe on Main Street in Peabody Wednesday morning.

Northeast Arc said that while the fire at 67 Main Street did not reach the cafe, the shop did sustain "significant water damage" and will be closed for more than a week.

"Although we hope insurance can cover some of the losses, there are a number of program-related costs that will not be covered here and elsewhere, and our 'Project Perk' internships will be on hold until we can figure out what is happening next with the building," Northeast Arc said in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon.

The apartment building fire closed Main Street for a time Wednesday afternoon and displaced more than 30 residents of the building.

A stretch of Main Street from Foster to Washington Street was closed during the morning commute before reopening at about 9:30 a.m.

"We are grateful to the Peabody Fire Department for bringing this situation under control and are so appreciative to the many supporters who have reached out to check in with us and the other tenants of the building," said Northeast Arc, who helps operate the cafe as employment training for its members with disabilities. "There were no injuries to our staff, patrons, or individuals we support — and for that, we are beyond grateful."

Those wishing to donate to Northeast Arc to help the Breaking Grounds Cafe programs can do so here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)