A man has died and several other people were taken to area hospitals after a multi-alarm fire early Tuesday spread to at least two residential buildings in East Boston, investigators said.The fire broke out in a residential building in the 400 block of Meridian Street near the intersection of West Eagle Street at about 5 a.m., according to Boston Fire. By 5:30 a.m., the fire had grown to six alarms, Boston Fire said.Boston Emergency Medical Services said five people, including a child, were taken to area hospitals after the fire. An additional person died at a local hospital, Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke said.”They initially did a rescue of at least five people over aerial ladders. One child went to the hospital. There is one fatality, we’re sorry to report,” Burke said. Burke said one firefighter was also taken to a hospital with a minor injury. The fire commissioner also said it took 130 firefighters several hours to extinguish the fire, which eventually spread to two adjacent buildings. “The firefighters had to be rotated in and out because they were they were overheated and they were working so hard, tough conditions on the street here,” Burke said.Heavy fire was reported throughout the initial building, and flames were seen coming from the windows and the roof. The fire spread to at least two other adjacent buildings, including a triple-decker, Boston Fire said.”There were people running around trying to get out of the house, and it seemed like there were still some people trapped in here. So, they were trying to run back in and grab people out of that house as well. Our house is burning. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on,” said resident Fabricio Paes.Sky5 Video: Fire damages multiple buildings in East BostonBurke said about 30 people were displaced by the fire.”I was sleeping, and I heard someone yelling outside, trying to warn the next building. And I came downstairs real fast to see what was going on. I saw some smoke. I guess it was coming down from the top. Then I ran upstairs, knocking on the first (floor door), then the second (floor door) where we live, and the third floor to make sure everyone was awake,” said resident Diego Rabelo.Rabelo said everyone from his building got out safely. The fire is under investigation, but residents and witnesses said it appears the fire started in the back half of the building.”This was a very, very difficult situation, extremely dangerous situation. Without the actions and quick response from multiple neighborhoods around the city to address this fire. There surely would have been more lives lost,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. The city, Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting displaced residents.Burke estimated the damage to be about $5 million.Meridian Street was closed to traffic, and drivers should seek alternate routes.Video: Fire commissioner, mayor confirm 1 dead in overnight fire
A man has died and several other people were taken to area hospitals after a multi-alarm fire early Tuesday spread to at least two residential buildings in East Boston, investigators said.
The fire broke out in a residential building in the 400 block of Meridian Street near the intersection of West Eagle Street at about 5 a.m., according to Boston Fire. By 5:30 a.m., the fire had grown to six alarms, Boston Fire said.
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Boston Emergency Medical Services said five people, including a child, were taken to area hospitals after the fire. An additional person died at a local hospital, Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke said.
“They initially did a rescue of at least five people over aerial ladders. One child went to the hospital. There is one fatality, we’re sorry to report,” Burke said.
Burke said one firefighter was also taken to a hospital with a minor injury.
The fire commissioner also said it took 130 firefighters several hours to extinguish the fire, which eventually spread to two adjacent buildings.
“The firefighters had to be rotated in and out because they were they were overheated and they were working so hard, tough conditions on the street here,” Burke said.
Heavy fire was reported throughout the initial building, and flames were seen coming from the windows and the roof. The fire spread to at least two other adjacent buildings, including a triple-decker, Boston Fire said.
“There were people running around trying to get out of the house, and it seemed like there were still some people trapped in here. So, they were trying to run back in and grab people out of that house as well. Our house is burning. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on,” said resident Fabricio Paes.
Sky5 Video: Fire damages multiple buildings in East Boston
Burke said about 30 people were displaced by the fire.
“I was sleeping, and I heard someone yelling outside, trying to warn the next building. And I came downstairs real fast to see what was going on. I saw some smoke. I guess it was coming down from the top. Then I ran upstairs, knocking on the first (floor door), then the second (floor door) where we live, and the third floor to make sure everyone was awake,” said resident Diego Rabelo.
Rabelo said everyone from his building got out safely.
The fire is under investigation, but residents and witnesses said it appears the fire started in the back half of the building.
“This was a very, very difficult situation, extremely dangerous situation. Without the actions and quick response from multiple neighborhoods around the city to address this fire. There surely would have been more lives lost,” Mayor Michelle Wu said.
The city, Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting displaced residents.
Burke estimated the damage to be about $5 million.
Meridian Street was closed to traffic, and drivers should seek alternate routes.
Video: Fire commissioner, mayor confirm 1 dead in overnight fire