PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - An investigation is underway after a liquor store caught fire overnight in Plantation.
The damage from the overnight fire could be seen Thursday. The smell of smoke still lingered in the air hours after firefighters put out the smoke, and nearby businesses are expected to remain closed for the day.
Investigators are now trying to figure out what caused the fire.
People could be seen working to clean up the area outside the liquor store after the fire ignited early Thursday morning near East Acre Drive and West Broward Boulevard.
“The call actually came in from a police officer who was responding to a burglar alarm,” said Plantation Fire Chief Joel Gordon. “He arrived on scene and reported he had heavy smoke coming from the center of the strip mall.”
At one point, the flames spread through the roof of the store. However, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
“We found heavy fire in the back of the liquor store,” said Gordon. “We were able to knock that down pretty quick. Because of the structure of the mall, the fire did get into the roof space, so we had to open up some of the roof to get to it. We got it out in about an hour.”
Officials said the store suffered extensive damage, and several neighboring businesses were left with smoke damage.
Fire crews are still on scene. As a result, East Acre Drive was shutdown from Cypress Road to Broward Boulevard.
According to Property Manager Scott Ahringer, the liquor store is a family-owned business that has been around for about 15 years. “These guys work 18-hour days,” he said. “They’re the most humble, generous, decent people, and I’m concerned what’s gonna happen for them.”
Ahringer said the affected businesses will remain closed at least for Thursday.
Although the fire is still under investigation, fire officials told the liquor store owner that the cause may be electrical.
No injuries were reported.
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