12 businesses destroyed in Southbury fire

Southbury, Conn. (WTNH) - A dozen businesses were destroyed in a massive fire at a commercial plaza on Main Street South in Southbury early Friday morning.

The fire broke out just after 1:00 a.m. at The Commons, a commercial building at 250 Main Street South.

"When we got here we had three-quarters of the building involved across the roofline," Southbury Fire Chief Rick Lyle said. Chief Lyle's wife owns a flower shop in the complex.

No injuries are reported.

Heavy equipment has already started tearing down parts of the damaged building. There is no word right now on what caused the fire. The fire marshall has been on the scene looking into possible causes.

"We've been able to take videotape and photographs before the fire department did any further damage" from the demolition equipment, Fire Marshal Henry Stormer said. "We had some collapse. We have to remove that and let the firemen extinguish any fire that's underneath the collapsed areas of the structure."

The worst damage appeared to be in the corner of the L-shaped building.

"It appears at this time that's going to be the area that we'll focus on," Stormer said, "but again we're not sure at this point based on the damage we're seeing."

Southbury had to call in mutual aid from Woodbury, Oxford and Newtown. The road is closed in the immediate area because of the fire, and was expected to be closed for several hours.

According to an online search there are medical offices, a salon, the florist, a driving school and other businesses at the complex, but we don't yet have full list of the businesses that were lost to the flames.

It was originally believed 14 businesses were affected, but two businesses had already closed.

Google Street View of the complex

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