It happened at the Oak Park Shopping Center at 9 Mile and Coolidge roads.
Businesses affected include the Kashat Market, and the new Sahara Restaurant.
The fire started Wednesday afternoon and continued well into the night, as firefighters fought to save what they could of the shopping center.
It was a frightening ordeal for almost everyone inside, when smoke started filing the air; people went into panic mode and got out fast.
The thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.
Imad Kashat, owner of the Kashat Market, was notified of the flames by a customer.
By the time Imad Kashat arrived, the business he’s owned for over 20 years was unrecognizable.
Flames destroyed the new Sahara Restaurant, it’s distribution center and a farmer’s market located next door.
Tara Kashat, a waitress at the Sahara Restaurant said the flames ripped through the restaurant quickly and filled with thick black smoke.
“We saw black smoke everywhere I went back inside to grab my purse and make sure no one else was in there, but within five minutes the restaurant was filled with black smoke,” Kashat said.
Faiza Hamama is a shopper who witnessed the fire.
“My car is still there, I didn't know what to do I was shaking," Hamama said.
More than three hours later the blaze was still burning and the cause still unknown.
Rafid Shaba escaped the smoke and flames.
“This is a tragedy to everybody families are going to be out of jobs -- unbelievable how this took place,” Shaba said.
There have been no reports of any injuries.
Crews from three different departments assisted the Oak Park Fire Department and worked to keep the fire contained to the northwest portion of the mall.
Investigators can not go into the structure until all the flames are extinguished.
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