Fire destroys row of businesses in the Fenway
Blaze takes jobs, routs neighbors
Standing across the street from the charred wreckage of the restaurant that fed his family, Nick Kolettis had tears in his eyes.
Kolettis's Greek Isles restaurant was one of seven businesses destroyed by a fire that ripped through a commercial block in the Fenway neighborhood early yesterday.
"I cry because it was a beautiful store," Kolettis, 63, said as he wiped his eyes with a hand- kerchief. "Everything was brand new."
The four-alarm fire generated dense smoke and forced the evacuation of about 130 residents of an adjoining four-story senior housing complex on Peterborough Street, officials said. The building sustained water damage and was ordered evacuated when firefighters discovered dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide, officials said.
Residents were taken to William McKinley Preparatory High School, which also served as a shelter for firefighters seeking respite from the cold.
Most displaced residents had found places to stay with relatives or friends. But Dean Siflinger, senior vice president for Wingate Management, said the company would pay the hotel bills for any residents who were forced out.
In addition to the Greek Isles, the fire destroyed Thornton's Fenway Grille restaurant, the Rod-Dee Thai Cuisine II Fenway, Umi Japanese Restaurant, El Pelón Taquería, and Sorrento's Italian Gourmet. A dry cleaning establishment was also destroyed, and a two-story garage behind the row of shops sustained water and smoke damage, said Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department.
Boston fire investigators, aided by Yahtzee, an accelerant-sniffing dog from the state fire marshal's office, scoured the remnants of what had been a popular destination for baseball fans to grab a bite near Fenway Park. MacDonald said authorities have not found the cause, but believe the devastating fire began in the corner of the 10,245-square-foot building where Thornton's Fenway Grille stood.
"When firefighters arrived, they had heavy fire showing from the restaurant on the corner," MacDonald said. "The fire spread, got in the ceiling, spread horizontal, and pretty much destroyed all seven stores."
Fire officials estimated damage at $5 million. A man identified by several people at the scene yesterday as the property owner declined to comment. City records list the owner as Warren Gomberg of Brookline. The property is assessed at $1.3 million.
Natalia Savelyeva, who lives in an apartment building at 78 Peterborough St., several buildings from the blaze, said her fire alarm went off at about 2 a.m.
"It was very loud," said Savelyeva, who was able to remain in her building. "I could smell smoke inside my apartment. You could see it seeping inside the building through the windows."
In addition to the property damage and disruption to the neighborhood, dozens of restaurant workers like Gutenberg Campos were suddenly unemployed.
Campos, 23, has worked for the last five years at Sorrento's Italian restaurant as a delivery driver and sometime cook. Campos spoke with owner Jeff Zamiri, who told him he would do what he can to help employees, but also urged Campos to look for work elsewhere.
"I'm really scared," Campos said, about the prospect of looking for a job amid a recession. "But I hope I find something."
Zamiri, in a separate interview, said that when he learned of the fire early yesterday, he was optimistic.
"I was hoping it was a small fire," said Zamiri. "I am glad that no one's hurt. This area was booming; it's beautiful and it's safe."
Kolettis, the owner of the Greek restaurant, said he had expected the next generation would take over his shop and he would be able to step back from the all-consuming business.
"Now, I can't retire," he said.
Correspondent Stewart Bishop contributed to this report. John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. 