Firefighters Subdue Summer Meltdown

Local store goes up in flames in early SeptemberTaneisha FigueroaASSOCIATE REPORTER September 26, 2013 [dropcap]A[/dropcap]three-alarm fire destroyed the 7-11 convenience store at the corner of Benton Street and The Alameda on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 5.The fire broke out at the store, located one block from campus, just after 7:30 a.m. and was reported by nearby construction workers who noticed smoke coming from the attic. Firefighters from Santa Clara Fire Station 1, located just a few feet away from the store, responded within minutes. Crews from two other stations were called in shortly thereafter  and remained on the scene for well over an hour. The store owner and manager, who were both in the store at the time of the fire, were able to evacuate without injury.Many students on campus were disappointed to see this convenience store closed upon their return to campus. “I used to walk to 7-11 all the time to satisfy my Slurpee cravings,” said sophomore Candace Moore. “Now where am I supposed to get a cooling and yummy drink?” The loss of the store left many students without a source for late night grocery shopping. Senior Shelby Galaviz said, “I became really good friends with one of the cashiers at 7-11  because I went there so often. I guess I’ll have to go to Safeway to get my midnight snacks.”Although the 7-11 on Benton Street is currently closed down, students who still have Slurpee cravings might be interested to know there is another 7-11 location near campus on the corner of Lafayette Street and Poplar Street.Contact Taneisha Figueroa at tfigueroa@scu.edu.