DOB issues emergency demolition order at site of massive Melrose fire
The flames were initially reported at a the Dunkin' on the same strip of businesses but quickly spread to others and destroyed them.
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The city's Department of Buildings has ordered an emergency demolition order at 3037 Third Ave., the main building that went up in flames on Thursday in Melrose. That demolition work could start as early as next week.
This comes after officials confirmed one of the many businesses impacted by a massive fire in Melrose is now under a full vacate order.
The flames were initially reported at the e Dunkin' on the same strip of businesses but quickly spread to others and destroyed them. Those business owners are now feeling the hurt and turning to one another to recover.
"It was such a beautiful store and everybody love it and everybody knew it," said Djounedou Titikpina, owner of African fabric shop Holland Textiles.
Holland Textiles has been a community fixture for nearly a decade. Titikpina says they lost over $1 million from the fire, but will only be receiving around 10% of that through insurance.
Fellow business owner Tony Wang, who operated New China along that strip of businesses, says he's not sure how he'll make ends meet in the short term.
"It's obviously devastating. That was like one of our only sources of income," said Wang, who's been serving up delicious food to Melrose residents out of his restaurant for around 25 years.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
