Watch: A Safeway Went Up in Flames in North Phoenix

There have been no reported injuries from the fire at the grocery store on 35th Avenue.

July 11, 2018

Image: A Safeway near 35th Avenue in north Phoenix was on fire on Wednesday evening as firefighters worked to douse the blaze.

A Safeway near 35th Avenue in north Phoenix was on fire on Wednesday evening as firefighters worked to douse the blaze. Phoenix New Times/Facebook

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A Safeway grocery store on 35th Avenue and Northern Avenue went up in smoke on Wednesday evening after reports of a roof collapse.

The Phoenix Fire Department was on the scene dousing the building with jets of water from ladders around 7 p.m. Crowds gathered to watch the firefighters battle the blaze, and a billowing black cloud of smoke could be seen as it extended over the residential neighborhoods nearby.

The large cloud was easily spotted from several miles away despite the ongoing rainstorm over the Valley.

A large traffic jam slowed movement to a crawl for cars headed northbound on 35th Avenue and in the residential neighborhoods on side streets east of the supermarket, especially Orangewood Avenue.

There were no injuries and everyone escaped the store, according to a fire department official.

This is a breaking story and may be updated.

Joseph Flaherty is a staff writer at New Times. Originally from Wisconsin, he is a graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

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