Fire destroys popular bakery, liquor store in Lawrence
LAWRENCE - Fire destroyed two businesses in Lawrence early Friday morning.
Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said they got an alarm from Sweet Grace Heavenly Cakes on Essex Street around 4 a.m.
But when they arrived, firefighters found smoke coming from Sweeney's package store next door. The chief said the fire in the liquor store grew so large they had to pull out and fight it from the outside.
No one was hurt, but Moriarty said both stores are "total losses," and will have to be knocked down as a result of the fire.
The chief believes the fire started in the liquor store, but they don't know how it started yet.
Back in October, WBZ-TV profiled Sweet Grace Heavenly Cakes for Hispanic Heritage Month. Owner Danerys Mazara opened up her bakery seven years ago and named it after her daughter.
"This morning we had the bad news that our building was getting on fire and that was something very difficult to see," she told WBZ Friday.
"I just need the prayers to feel strong, to have peace in the middle of this situation," she said. "I feel very blessed because of my community supporting me."
Community members who spoke with WBZ said they plan to start a GoFundMe to help out businesses affected by the fire.
