ONE OF THE BIGGEST FIRE LOSSES OF 2014: 3-ALARM FIRE RIPS THROUGH FOXBOROUGH, MASS LAKEVIEW PAVILION. THE FIRE WAS SPARKED BY A CIGARETTE DISPOSED OF IN MULCH THAT IGNITED VINYL SIDING ON THE BUILDING.
Location hosts weddings, other private events
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —A wedding was cut short and a
well-known Foxborough landmark was destroyed in a three-alarm fire that broke
out Saturday night. Fire officials say careless disposal of a cigarette sparked
the blaze.
A three-alarm fire ripped through the Lakeview Pavillion
in Foxborough Saturday night. The location is known by many as a popular
wedding venue.
Flames ripped through the Lakeview Pavilion, a
private lakefront venue that routinely hosts weddings and special events.
The fire started around 7:15 p.m. just as the wedding
ceremony concluded, Justice of the Peace Jerry Cibley said.
"I had literally just pronounced them husband and
wife, and they proceeded down the center aisle with the groomsmen and
bridesmaids," he said.
Foxborough Fire Department Capt. Ed Noonan told
NewsCenter 5's Kimberly Bookman that the blaze started in the back of the
building where people gathered before the wedding ceremony. He said the fire
was sparked by a cigarette disposed of in mulch that ignited vinyl siding on
the building.
Cibley declined to name the bride and groom, saying the
couple was distraught by the fire.
"The bride and groom are devastated — this was
their big day," he told the Sun Chronicle. "I’m thankful everybody
got out safely. It went up so quickly and could have been a lot worse with 140
to 150 people in there."
There were no reports of injuries.
Lakeview Pavilion was built in 1906. About 200 upcoming
events were scheduled at the venue, and the owner plans to have an office on
the site Monday to help customers.
In a statement released Sunday, the owners said they
were grateful that no one was injured and thanked first responders.
"The Kourtidis family is devastated by the loss of
the beautiful function facility that we have nurtured for over 25 years,"
the statement said. "We want all of our brides and grooms and customers to
know that they are our first priority. We are dedicated to making sure that
they still have the wedding or event of their dreams. We are in contact with venues
in the area and will be assisting all of you as you transition to a new
location."
