Firefighter injured as massive fire destroys Fall River hardware store

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WHDH) – One firefighter was injured Friday night battling a huge fire that ripped through a hardware store in Fall River.

The fire broke out just after 4 p.m. at Flint Hardware on Pleasant Street. It was finally brought under control about two hours later.

“Everything was completely engulfed, we couldn’t see anything at all,” said neighbor Tenisha Ferreria.

Fire officials said part of the building’s roof collapsed in the fire. Neighboring homes suffered smoke damage but not fire damage. Store owner Manny Patelo was inside his store when the fire broke out and managed to get out safely. He said he had owned the store for 26 years.

“It was my life,” said Patelo.

About 50 firefighters responded to the scene. They were pulled from the building after one of them suffered an injury. They then fought the flames from high up on ladder trucks.

The injured firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital, according to officials.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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