A four-alarm fire at 470 Main St. destroyed two businesses yesterday morning, sending three firefighters to the hospital with minor injuries after a floor gave way during the blaze.
Sal's Family Restaurant, a fixture in the neighborhood for more than 40 years, and California Convenience store lay in ruins yesterday afternoon, with burnt waste and ashes littering Main Street near Newton Street. Both business were in the same building.
Fire Chief Richard Cardillo estimated the damage to be close to $2 million. He said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
"This was a pretty severe fire. Anytime you lose a business or a home I consider it a huge loss," Cardillo said. "I attended this restaurant as a kid."
According to Cardillo, Waltham firefighters were called to the blaze at 5:33 a.m. About 10 minutes into battling the fire, the first floor of the building collapsed and two firefighters fell through.
"What we're assuming is this started as a cellar fire. As the firefighters were investigating, the floor gave way," Cardillo said. "We were able to conduct a rescue and pull them out."
Cardillo praised firefighter Dwight Anderson who was lowered into the cellar to rescue his trapped comrades.
The two firefighters who fell through the floor and another firefighter who was helping to rescue them suffered minor injuries. They were treated and released from Newton Wellesly Hospital.
As of yesterday, the Waltham Fire Department had not released the names of the injured firefighters.
All 10 of Waltham's firefighting companies were sent to the fire and were assisted by firefighters from six communities - Arlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton, Watertown and Weston.
Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy was at the scene of the fire yesterday speaking to local police, firefighters and residents.
"It's a very sad day because (Sal's) was a fixture in Waltham," McCarthy said. "They are a wonderful family. It's very sad."
Sal Pinzone, 79, ran the family owned eatery. Yesterday, his son, Michael, talked about the restaurant's legacy.
"We grew up here. Back in the late '60s this used to be the corner and all the local kids would hang out on the corner," Michael said, staring at the smoldering storefront. "My dad spent his entire life cooking. There isn't anyone in Waltham that doesn't know Sal's."
Michael said he hopes his father can rebuild the restaurant.
"I'd love to help him," he said. "If we have the opportunity, I'd love to."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbrid@cnc.com.
