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Large fire causes extensive damage to meat, seafood store in Alief neighborhood

"We see a lot of smoke, fire as well going through the roof, flames shooting up. We go through the back we see more fire. The electricity poles are blowing up."

HOUSTON — Houston Firefighters stop a two-alarm fire from spreading through an Alief shopping center on Wednesday morning. 

The fire broke out in the Universal Shopping Center at 11360 Bellaire Blvd. just after 3:30 a.m. in a meat and seafood grocery store.

HPD Deputy Chief Herman Gonzales said firefighters had trouble getting into the grocery store because the front door had burglar bars. 

Gonzales said crews forced their way and found heavy fire and smoke inside the store. Witness video obtained by KHOU 11 showed electrical lines at the back of the property sparking as well.

He said damage in the store is pretty extensive but firefighters were able to get the fire under control and keep it from spreading to other businesses.

Businesses next to the grocery store have smoke damage but Gonzales said they didn’t suffer fire or water damage. 

Marcos Gonzalez called 911 after driving by the shopping center. 

“We see a lot of smoke, fire as well going through the roof, flames shooting up. We go through the back we see more fire. The electricity poles are blowing up,” Gonzalez said. 

The owner of the grocery was at the scene and didn’t want to go on camera. 

He said his store had been in business for 20 years. 

He added that he didn’t know what he was going to do next.

Deputy Chief Gonzales said in a two-alarm fire like this they always call for arson to come out to investigate. 

Gonzales said there were no injuries.

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