More than 70 firefighters battle large blaze at strip mall in Bensalem
BENSALEM, Pa. - Flames tore through a local strip mall early Thursday morning as crews rushed to extinguish the raging fire.
The 2-alarm fire started in the Andalusia Bar and Grill before around 4 a.m. spreading to 8-10 other businesses in the Grandview Plaza on Britsol Pike in Bensalem.
More than 70 firefighters from the area responded as flames erupted close to 30 feet in the air.
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The fire was placed under control about an hour later, but cleanup is expected to take most of the day.
Andalusia Bar and Grill suffered significant damage, including the patrial collapse of its roof.
Surrounding businesses also sustained fire, smoke and water damage.
Renovated a few years ago, many of the shops are now stained with soot and their windows broken.
Shop owner Cecilia Pineda comforted a weeping employee near her wellness studio.
"Oh, it’s terrible. Everybody’s livelihood is gone. This is how people feed their families," said the owner of the Prickly Pear Skin and Wellness Studio.
Mike Padgeon said his Juniata Insurance agency will reopen soon. The news is far worse for his neighbors. "My prayers are with them I mean I use some of these businesses myself. I get my hair cut every three weeks at Phil’s. They’re two doors down. They took a heavy hit," said Padgeon.
Trying to salvage what the flames did not claim, restaurant owner Gino Tripodi pulled a framed image of the Stars and Stripes from the rubble. He says he’ll rebuild while others are resigned to moving on.
"It’s just a blessing, just a blessing, it’s the American dream. Something gets destroyed, you rebuild and I’m just thinking about rebuilding," he said.
No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.