WALTHAM, Mass. — Fire crews in Waltham are continuing to extinguish hot spots one day after a massive, seven-alarm fire destroyed a luxury condo complex that was under construction.
The inferno began early Sunday morning when the buildings under construction in a lot on Elm Street from Pine Street to Moody Street somehow caught fire and quickly spread.
Waltham fire Chief Paul Ciccone said the buildings of the Edison on the Charles development were not yet equipped with fire prevention tools, like sprinklers, which allowed the fire to grow.
“The police were banging on all the doors and I was trying to get my cat, but couldn’t,” an evacuated resident said. “He said, ‘Just get out.’ And I did.”
MORE: Massive fire engulfs Waltham construction site
That woman was one of about 200 people that were evacuated from nearby housing that was in danger of catching fire.
Ciccone said that while it was challenging to extinguish the fire, crews were able to contain the flames to the construction site.
Investigators said all of the buildings under construction were up to code and were inspected just last week.
Ciccone said it's still too early to determine what sparked the massive blaze.
No injuries were reported.