BOSTON — Firefighters in Boston battled a 9-alarm fire at a home that affected seven homes, displacing seven families.
According to the Boston Fire Department, the fire started at around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday at 39 Old Morton Street on the Dorchester/Mattapan line.
An 8th Alarm now ordered.
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) June 15, 2019
When crews responded to the scene, heavy fire and smoke could be seen billowing from the roof and 3 alarms had been struck. Just before 6 p.m., the fire had officially escalated to a 9th alarm.
What firefighters faced on arrival at 4:45pm at today’s 9 alarm fire. Photo by @scotteisenphoto pic.twitter.com/Nj1bWc7Ddn
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) June 16, 2019
Heavy fire on a building on OldMorton St Dor . There are multiple exposures buildings on fire. This is now a 6 alarm pic.twitter.com/REjPR9xWhJ
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) June 15, 2019
Initial investigation suggests the fire started at a vacant building which then spread to several adjacent buildings. Fire officials say the home was under construction.
Overhead view of the 9 alarm fire on Old Morton St, Mattapan. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/w4nd0JGn45
— Tim Martin (@TMar15) June 15, 2019
Three other adjacent buildings were affected by the multi-alarm blaze. Because the homes sit so close to one another, flames spread quickly, burning through eight buildings in total.
"There was heavy fire in the [first building to catch fire] and then it spread to the houses on either side of it, the houses on the rear and a couple houses across the street," said Boston Fire Chief of Operations John Walsh. "We were dealing with all that at the same time, that’s why heavy command power came in."
#BPDTrafficAdvisory: Building fire in the area of 39 Old Morton Street in Mattapan causing traffic delays. Motorists asked to avoid area and seek alternate routes. No injuries reported.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) June 15, 2019
Boston EMS says nine people were transported to area hospitals with injuries, while six others were evaluated on scene but were not transported. Of the injured people, seven were firefighters while two were residents.
Fire officials say they're unsure of the condition of the firefighters who had to be hospitalized.
Old Morton St Fire: As of 7:07 PM (EST), #BEMS has transported 7 patients to area hospitals. An additional 6 patients have been evaluated on scene but not transported.
— Boston EMS (@BOSTON_EMS) June 15, 2019
The Red Cross responded to the fire as well. According to a news release, seven families have been affected by the fire.
Residents watched in fear as more than 150 firefighters worked to put out the fire and smoke amid windy conditions.
Aftermath of the 9 alarm fire on Old Morton Road @boston25 pic.twitter.com/TzRc8c7t8W
— Julie Leonardi (@JulieLeonardiTV) June 16, 2019
"It was very hard to see very hard to breathe, there was so much thick smoke," said Christopher Rosado, a neighbor.
"It was quite scary to see all that smoke and to see all that fire," said Angela, a neighbor.
#BPD Officers doing their part to assist @BostonFire in efforts to contain secondary fires in area of 39 Old Morton Street in Mattapan. A shelter for those impacted has been set up @BCYFcenters Gallivan at 61 Woodruff Way in Mattapan. pic.twitter.com/lNt48D2Sdn
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) June 15, 2019
A shelter for the victims of this fire has been set up at 61 Woodruff Way in Mattapan.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
>> Crews battle fire at Lowell mill; no injuries reported
Cox Media Group