REVERE — A fast-moving fire swept through an appliance and furniture store on Saturday afternoon, turning the longstanding business into rubble. Firefighters from several cities poured on the effort combating the flames at Sozio Super Store on Squire Road. At least four ladder trucks attacked the fire from above while crews moved in and out of the burning structure.
The building quickly gave way to a tall column of black smoke, which could be seen for miles, including by passengers in airplanes flying into Logan Airport. Before long, the longtime Revere establishment was reduced to a red glowing tinderbox, and flames could be seen shooting from all sides.
Just spotted the fire out of my plane heading into Logan. Looks like a huge response by Revere fire dept. #NBCBoston #revere #sozio pic.twitter.com/Ca799pZa5K
— Austin Collier (@AustinCollier92) February 17, 2018
Squire Road was shut in either direction, with drivers heading east forced to sit and watch in their cars before Police could safety back them off of the road. The fire snarled traffic heading into Revere from all directions as the major thoroughfare remained closed through the early evening.
Amaris Anderson lives a block away from Sozio’s on Pitcairn Street. She said her sister saw the smoke, and by the time they walked up the street to see what was going on, the fire was already roiling.
“Within 15 minutes that whole building was engulfed,” Amaris Anderson said. “Everything went up so fast”
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
