Residents jump from windows to escape North End fire

Boston firefighters spent Tuesday evening battling a fire at a building on Cooper Street.

The fire broke out on the first floor of the building at 26 Cooper Street about 11 p.m. and quickly spread to the roof.

A resident told FOX 25 News' Catherine Parrotta that she and her roommate ran from their first-floor apartment to the basement to try to escape the blaze but found the doors locked. She said she and her roommate jumped from a window and were caught by a few men below.

"I looked up and saw a ton of smoke," said Desiree Hubby. "I jumped and then my roommate jumped."

One person was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious burns.

Firefighters said fighting fires in the North End is notoriously difficult because of the small streets and congested buildings.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze. Fire officials estimated the damage at about $1 million. Thirteen residents were displaced.

Cox Media Group