1 dead, more than a dozen displaced after fire rips through Cambridge apartment building

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — One person was killed and more than a dozen others were forced from their homes after a fire ripped through an apartment building in Cambridge on Tuesday morning.

Crews responding to multiple calls for a reported structure fire preceded by the sound of an explosion at a building on Chester Street that houses small studio apartments around 4:40 a.m. found flames shooting from two first-floor windows, according to Cambridge Fire Chief Tom Cahill.

Dozens of firefighters started to attack the fire from the inside of the building and made several rescues with ladder trucks, but one person was found dead during a search of the building, Cahill said. The identity of the victim wasn’t immediately known.

Some residents reported hearing an explosion.

“I didn’t hear the explosion, but the man who I took in because of the cold told me there was a loud explosion at about four in the morning,” said resident Katharine Van Buskirk.

Authorities say the fire started in a second-floor apartment.

“It’s just a tough way to start the new year,” Cahill said. “There was such a heavy volume of fire when we did arrive.”

One firefighter was also transported from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cahill estimated that about 15 people were displaced by the blaze.

Later in the day, displaced residents returned to see if they could salvage anything from their apartments.

Next door, a neighbor says he believes he saw the victim.

“I actually ran into him before the holidays, he seemed to be in a good mood. This was right before Christmas so, this is very sudden and very unexpected,” said Harry Luithardt. “It’s pretty sad what happened I don’t know what else to say, it’s a bad thing.”

State police and Cambridge police are assisting the Cambridge Fire Department with an investigation into the cause of the fire. Although a cause has not been determined, officials say the fire doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

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

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