Man's body found after fire damages multifamily homes in Chelsea

Chelsea, Mass. — Officials say a man's body has been found after a fire damaged two multifamily homes and displaced more than 30 people.

The fire in Chelsea began shortly before 5 p.m. Friday in one of the homes and spread to a neighboring house. Firefighters found the man's body later Friday night in an enclosed back porch.

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The man's name hasn't been released. He is believed to have been in his 30s.

The fire began in the rear of the building on Watts Street before continuing on the third floor of 109 Highland St., a building adjacent to the impacted structure at 48 Watts St.

"When we arrived there was heavy fire in the rear of 48 Watts St.," said Chelsea Deputy Fire Chief John Quatieri. "Two-story wood frame house."

Medford Fire tweeted that one of their engines was on scene assisting Chelsea Fire in trying to extinguish the blaze, while Lynn FD sent Engine 9 from their department to assist as well.

"I saw the smoke and I told my neighbor who was living there," said Carlos Aguilar, a neighbor. "I come and tried to call him but he was outside."

The majority of the fire on Watts Street was knocked down as of 5:45 p.m., according to the Chief of Chelsea Police.

It remains unclear what started the fire. Mass. State Police CPAC and State Police Fire are investigating. The American Red Cross is helping the residents with housing and other needs.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the family, which can be found online here.

Cox Media Group