Crews extinguish Brookline condo fire; man treated for smoke inhalation

BROOKLINE, Mass. — A man has been treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out inside his fifth-floor condo in Brookline early Friday morning.

Fire crews were called to the Brook House Condominiums on Pond Avenue just before 4 a.m., and video given to Boston 25 News shows flames shooting from the window.

"There were huge orange flames just shooting out," Nancy Reimer said. "They broke the glass."

The unidentified man who lived in the apartment is being credited for helping to prevent the fire from spreading because he shut his doors after alerting authorities to the flames.

He was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene of the fire, but was not taken to a hospital.

Also, fire officials told Boston 25 News that they're investigating a possible hoarding situation inside the condo that caught fire.

"There was a lot of debris in the apartment itself," Deputy Fire Chief Robert Nelson said. "We're looking into a possible hoarding situation."

Firefighters were seen throwing items out of the window while trying to extinguish the flames.

Dozens of residents are now waiting to hear when they may be able to get back inside their homes.

"Mine is right below it, so it's probably all water damaged," Emanuil Ivanof said. "There was a lot of smoke coming out."

It's unknown what sparked the fire.

The Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.

Cox Media Group