Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Fire rips through Hollywood shopping center, destroys three businesses


On Tuesday morning, firefighters and Hollywood police remained at the scene of a fire that tore through a strip shopping center.Before dawn, a ladder unit continued to pour water on the structure where the blaze was first reported about 1:45 p.m. on Monday.
Motorists may still encounter delays and possible detours in the area of Hollywood Boulevard and State Road 7.
On Monday, flames spread to five businesses, while smoke filled about six others, Hollywood Fire Rescue Chief Chris Del Campo said. The plaza, at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and South State Road 7, was evacuated.
No one was injured as a result of the fire, Del Campo said. Several birds and reptiles were rescued from a Pet Supermarket.
Fire rescue units from Pembroke Pines, Hallandale and the Broward Sheriff's Office joined the Hollywood department in knocking down the fire. Black smoke rolled from the businesses' rooftops as crews doused the blaze.
Firefighters at one point had the inferno under control and were working to put out a few hot spots when a possible chemical accelerant caused the flames to rage again, Del Campo said. The fire was momentarily out of firefighters' hands but was brought under control again by 6:30 p.m.
At least three businesses were destroyed, although crews were able to salvage most of the complex, Del Campo said.
Investigators were working to determine how and where the fire ignited, a process that could take days, Del Campo said. The total cost of the damage was not immediately known.

No comments:

Post a Comment