Fire destroys four Natick businesses

(Globe staff photo by Erica Noonan)

NATICK

An early morning fire swept through a block of stores in downtown Natick Thursday, destroying four small businesses.

The wood-and-plaster building on Pond Street, just steps from the town green, housed a laundromat, shoe and vacumn repair shops, and a convenience store.

The structure was blackened and smoldering, and Natick Fire officials were still on the scene during this morning's commute.

No injuries were reported in the blaze that broke out around 1:15 a.m., tripped four alarms and drew fire crews from several neighboring towns.

Investigators were examining smoking piles of wreckage Thursday morning to determine the source and cause of the fire.

-- Erica Noonan