Early Morning Blaze Hits 2 E. Arlington Businesses

Arlington MA

31 August, 2021

10:53 AM

Description

Your Arlington Last Updated: 29 August 2021 Written by AFD, Bob Sprague Thrive Juice Cafe and 13Forest on Aug. 28. / Bob Sprague photo UPDATED, Aug. 29: A fire that struck two East Arlington businesses early Aug. 28 has caused damage totaling $65,000 according to a preliminary estimate, which is likely to go higher. Fund-raiser set up >> Deputy Chief James L. Bailey Jr. told YourArlington that the cause of the 3:38 a.m. alarm at Thrive Juice Cafe is under investigation. Damages extend to next door, at 13Forest art gallery, where workers Saturday were removing art work to a truck. Both are closed. Thrive owner Derek Fleming looked resigned as he sat at a table in front of the blackened interior of his business, which opened in May 2018. "It will be a long haul," he said. In an initial report, Bailey said fire damage includes front glass wall, door and ceiling to Thrive. 13Forest sustained ceiling damage. Both businesses had water and smoke damage. There were no injuries to civilians. Preliminarily, the estimated structural damage to the building is $25,000 and to the contents of Thrive is $40,000. "The AFD cannot determine damage to the art works in 13Forest," Bailey wrote. "All efforts were made by on scene personnel to save and preserve the artwork. "Gallery operators were thankful for efforts and believe minimal damage was sustained." All Arlington companies were on scene for the working fire. Equipment included three engines, one ladder truck, one ambulance and a command vehicle. A total of 15 on-duty personnel working and one fire investigator was brought in for the post-fire investigation. Fleming reached out on social media Aug. 28: "We have plenty of fresh produce safely stored that we don't want to go to waste, and we want to invite you all to come buy to grab or donate." YourArlington.com has provided news and opinion about Arlington, Mass., since 2006. Publisher Bob Sprague is a former editor at The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Arlington Advocate. Read more at https://www.yourarlington.com/about.