Five-alarm fire destroys large building in Ayer

E-mail | Print | Comments () 06/19/2012 3:38 PM

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

The building that burned in a five-alarm fire on Main Street

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By Mike Bello, Globe Staff

A five-alarm fire early this morning destroyed a building in Ayer containing a row of stores and several apartments, but no injuries were reported, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out shortly after midnight in a building at 63 Main St., quickly engulfing the building and two floors above, State Fire Marshal Steve Coan said in a telephone interview.

Coan said firefighters from several surrounding towns were called in to fight the blaze.

“This was a tough fire. The firefighters were dealing with a tight area and prevented the fire from spreading to other exposure buildings,” said Coan.

He said the structure contained a Subway restaurant and other businesses, along with apartments above. All of the residents managed to get out safely, authorities said.

Coan said the blaze was brought under control after 2 a.m. today but crews will be on the scene for hours to overhaul the structure and put out hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.