North End Fire Temporarily Closes Two Restaurants

A two-alarm fire struck a multi-use building at 288 Hanover Street in Boston’s North End on the evening of Wednesday, June 22, displacing eight residents and temporarily closing two restaurants, Bella Vista and Ristorante Saraceno, the latter of which is located in the adjacent building at 286 Hanover Street. No one was reported injured, and two dogs were rescued from the building.

The fire department had to navigate the North End’s notably cramped space — including outdoor dining setups during the dinner rush — and deal with heavy smoke conditions and multiple roofs, including a glass roof, to access and extinguish the fire. It reportedly started on the building’s fourth floor and spread to the roof; the cause is still under investigation.

Hanover Street reopened to traffic just a couple hours after the fire began, but Bella Vista and Ristorante Saraceno, which are owned by the same family, will remain closed for now to assess water damage. They will likely be able to reopen in just a few days, according to Boston fire commissioner Jack Dempsey.