An emergency displacement fund was activated Thursday to support residents displaced by the previous day’s five-alarm fire in Teele Square, said the City of Somerville and Somerville Homeless Coalition.
The fire affected 32 homes at 1137-1147 Broadway, displacing 43 residents, and city staff and the American Red Cross are working with the residents to provide shelter and help with immediate needs.
Only financial donations are being asked to the fund, which provides direct financial aid to Somerville residents displaced by fires and other emergencies. To donate, visit bit.ly/shcfund or scan the QR code.
“No donation is too small. Every contribution will help provide immediate relief to neighbors facing an unexpected displacement,” city and coalition staff said.
The three-story brick building saw heavy fire, smoke and water damage to its third floor and roof, while lower floors suffered extensive water damage, fire chief Charles Breen said. In addition to the apartments, ground-floor retail that was shut down Thursday includes a Blue Moon smoke shop, Teele Square Coin Laundry, the Happy Crab and Masala restaurants and Al-Aswad Dental. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Breen said.
The owner of the property – as well as the Masala restaurant – is Binoj Pradhan, under the Laxmi and Jharana Pradhan Trust. The property may need a year of shutdown and reconstruction, said an insurance adjuster on the scene to represent Pradhan. A full analysis of the financial impact may take a couple of months, the adjuster said.
A message was left for Pradhan on Thursday through his attorney, but there was no immediate response.
