4 Displaced After Fire In Worcester Building

WORCESTER, MA — Four people were left homeless after a 3-alarm fire seriously damaged a building along Water Street in Kelley Square Thursday morning, according to Worcester fire officials.

The fire broke out at around 10:18 a.m. on the top floor of the four-story building, which houses a plumbing supply business on the first floor. Firefighters initially attacked the fire from inside, but were forced to leave due to fears about the building collapsing, Deputy Chief Martin Dyer said.

The fire grew quickly due to strong winds, Dyer said. At one point, flames could be seen shooting out of the attic-level windows. Plumes of smoke drifted into the sky above I-290, and MassDOT had to close down exit 13.

The fire was out by around 11:30 a.m., but the building's structure was damaged. Fire crews were on scene well into the afternoon, Dyer said.