by Justin Brown, FF/EMT-P
3/19/2010

 

HOLLISTON - A smoky fire which erupted at 4pm yesterday in the Quitt Block in Holliston Square threatened the historic building and forced evacuation for a time by five first-floor business and workers in St. Michael's Episcopal Church Hall located on the second story.

The building is located on the corner of Central and Washington Streets.  Damage to the building is unofficially estimated at over $3000.
The fire was contained through prompt efforts of the entire Holliston Fire Department, which responded to an alarm sounded by Tom Muller of the Holliston Auto Service, located diagonally opposite the building.
Muller reportedly saw smoke coming from the side of the building above the Central Pharmacy and sounded the alarm before the fire had time to gain much headway.  Firefighters were able to control the blaze within moments after their arrival but smoke pouring from the two-story block was visible for several miles.

The blaze of undetermined origin, apparently started in the partitions above the Central Pharmacy owned by Joseph Antonellis of Milford.
Business operators and workers in the block were warned by passersby and forced to evacuate the building within minutes as the thick lack smoke began to fill the first floor  [page cut off here, a few lines are missing]
The pharmacy, which occupies the corner quarters of the building, R. J. Moore's News agency and Aubuchon Hardware on Washington Street were also seriously affected by the smoke.

Antonellis said this morning the pharmacy will be closed until a check is made by the State Board of Health and Federal Food and Drug Administration.  He said his customers will be served by the Holliston Pharmacy until his business reopens.

Once the firefighters had the flames controlled yesterday, business went on as usual in the paper store, with E. Cox, veteran employee, continuing to serve customers with the Milford Daily News and other papers being picked up by regular customers, many of whom had turned out early because of the fire.

Most seriously affected by the fire was St. Michaels Not-so-New Shop, located on the second story where volunteer workers were preparing items of clothing for a special half price sale which had been set for today.  The shop is run by volunteers each Wednesday in the church hall.  St. Michael’s Church has its quarters on the second floor of the building where smoke damage was particularly heavy.  Firefighters were on the scene for an hour and a half.  [The rest of the article is cutoff]