Home / Disasters and Accidents / Rockport Pizza Landmark Burns, Families Displaced
Rockport Pizza Landmark Burns, Families Displaced
23 Sep
Summary
- A historic Rockport building housing a popular pizza shop and apartments was destroyed by fire.
- Two families were displaced by the blaze, with community fundraising efforts underway.
- The accidental fire, believed to be caused by a gas leak, impacted the town's water supply.
A historic building in Rockport, Massachusetts, which housed the Rockport House of Pizza & Roast Beef and residential apartments, was tragically destroyed by a three-alarm fire on Sunday. The blaze, which displaced two families living above the restaurant, has deeply affected the tight-knit community. Residents are actively rallying to support the affected families and hoping for the eventual reopening of the popular pizza shop.
The general manager and partial owner of the pizza shop, Brenden Kolterjahn, described the scene as shocking. The building, constructed in 1866 at 19 Broadway Ave., was found to be completely destroyed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among residents or firefighters, though one family's cat perished in the fire. The state Fire Marshal's office has determined the fire to be accidental, originating near the back of the pizza shop on the first floor, with officials suspecting a gas leak as the likely cause amid extensive damage.
Community response has been swift and supportive, with GoFundMe campaigns established to assist displaced residents and aid in reopening the pizza shop elsewhere in town. One campaign for employees and reopening has already raised over $3,000 towards its $11,000 goal, while another for the six displaced residents is halfway to its $16,000 target. Residents like Jennis Heal expressed gratitude for being alive, noting that smoke alarms failed in the old building, and they were alerted by shouting from the restaurant staff below.
The loss of this fixture, which has served generations in various forms including the historic Ketchopulos Meat Market, has left a significant void. "It's been a mainstay in Rockport for generations," stated Paul F. Murphy, chair of the Rockport Select Board, recalling fond memories of the shop. The community's strong bonds are evident in their collective support during this difficult time, a characteristic resilience for Rockport.
