Ten days after Rockport fire, no official word on the Broadway building or displaced families

Ten days after fire destroyed the building that housed Rockport House of Pizza, town officials have not said publicly what will happen to the Broadway property or where the families who lived upstairs have gone.

The fire at 19 Broadway was accidental and started near the back of the first floor pizza shop, a spokesperson for the state Department of Fire Services told the Boston Globe on Sept. 22. Investigators could not pin down the exact cause because of the damage, but officials believe a gas leak was responsible, spokesperson Jake Wark told the Globe.

What officials confirmed

According to a release from the Rockport Police and Fire departments:

• The call came in at about 9:58 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, reporting a strong smell of gas at the mixed use building.
• Firefighters found thick black smoke and an active fire. The fire went to four alarms and was put out at about 1 p.m.
• No one was hurt.
• At least two families and commercial tenants were displaced.
• National Grid shut off electricity to the building.
• Crews came from Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Wenham, Hamilton, Middleton, Ipswich, Peabody, Danvers and Lynn to help.

Rockport Fire and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office investigated the cause.

What we don't know

We found no later statement from the town, the fire department or the state about the condition of the building, whether it will be torn down, or where the displaced families are staying. The Globe reported that six people in two families lived upstairs. A family's cat died in the fire, the Globe and Boston.com reported.

The Globe reported the building dates to 1866.

Hopes to reopen

A partial owner and general manager of the restaurant told the Globe the shop was a total loss. He said he hopes an online fundraiser for the shop's employees will help the business reopen somewhere else in town, the Globe reported. No new location or date has been announced.

The Globe and Boston.com also reported a separate fundraiser for the displaced residents.

This story will be updated when officials release more information.