Several people rescued, 30 displaced after 4-alarm fire in Cambridge apartment building

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — At least 30 people have been displaced and several had to be rescued from balconies after a fire tore through a 48-unit apartment building on Concord Avenue early Wednesday.

Firefighters were called just before midnight to 14 Concord Ave., a brick apartment building, for heavy flames shooting from the third floor. Fire officials said they made several rescues as residents fled to their balconies to escape. No serious injuries were reported.

Cambridge Fire Chief Jerry Mahoney said the fire was able to spread so quickly because the building, built in the 1970s, did not have a sprinkler system installed. In Massachusetts, many older buildings are exempt from laws requiring automatic sprinkler systems unless they are significantly renovated or additions are added. “This could’ve turned out a lot worse,” he said.

The Red Cross said it’s helping around 30 adults who were displaced from their homes.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW