BOSTON --
Fire crews battled a four-alarm fire in downtown Natick that ravaged a commercial building on Pond Street early Thursday morning.
The fire broke out just after 1 a.m. in Sterns Variety Store at the corner of South Main Street and Pond Street, police said.
"A patrol officer on routine patrol noticed smoke coming from the building, contacted Natick fire alarm. We were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, deputy chief noticed heavy fire and smoke coming from the building," Natick Deputy Fire Chief James Sheridan said.
He said about 50 firefighters fought to keep the blaze from spreading to the nearby Odd Fellows Building and some other historic colonial houses near the Natick Town Common.
Fire officials said the business block also housed Fici's Tailor Shop, a shoe repair shop and several other businesses. They said many of the businesses were heavily damaged.
Fici, who arrived at the scene to see his business go up in smoke, said he's been at the location for 25 years and it now appears he's lost his entire business.
There was no immediate word on a cause. No injuries were reported.
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