Image Courtesy of Rescue Fire Company
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – A vehicle fire has ravaged a family-owned Mexican grocery store that called Cambridge its home for more than a decade.
Just after 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jul. 3, crews with the Rescue Fire Company (RFC) and other mutual-aid companies responded to a vehicle fire in the 600 block of Race Street. While responding, the fire spread to the overhang of a building the car was parked under, and was subsequently upgraded to a structure fire.
The fire burned for 45 minutes before being extinguished by 65 firefighters. The total damage to the vehicle, building, and its contents is estimated to be valued at $65,000.
Apartments located at the top of the building were unoccupied at the time. Friday’s fire displaced six residents, who are being assisted by the American Red Cross, according to RFC.
Image Courtesy of Office of Maryland State Fire Marshal
The same building also housed Tienda Mexicana Velasquez, a Mexican grocery store owned by the Velasquez-Martinez family. The store has been located at 601 Race Street for more than 10 years, becoming a part of the larger Cambridge community. In a message posted to social media, the business thanked local residents who have shared their support during this tragedy.
“We’re still processing what happened, but we’ve also been able to feel the tremendous love and support of our entire community,” the message read, in part. “Right now we are working to be able to take the next steps. [We] hope to be back as soon as possible… We know that the road to recovery will not be easy, but the love we have received these days gives us strength to move on and fills us with hope.”
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal responded to the scene and ruled the fire accidental. Officials determined the cause of the fire to be a mechanical failure within the vehicle’s engine compartment.
