Boston, MA – Firefighters were called by the Summer Street Fire Alarm System Monitoring Company in the early hours this morning to report to a structure fire.

Summer Street Command

Boston Firefighters were dispatched and reported a 5-story brick office building located at 327-333 Summer Street with smoke showing.  They would later call for a 3-alarm after finding heavy fire on several floors of the building.

Shortly after, fire blew out windows on floors 1-3 initiating a 7-alarm response.  No injuries were reported at the time of the blow out.

Evacuation sirens began to sound.  Firefighters at this time repositioned their fire apparatus and deck guns on the fire.

Later, the fire was upgraded to a 8-alarm fire.  

Major notable operations that took place during the stubborn fire with the Department of the Chief Hasson assuming Command on the fireground.  The Fire Alarm Emergency  Dispatch Operations conducted a PAR [an accountability system for all fire crews on the fireground]. There was no missing Firefighters reported.

Firefighters were Heroic this morning when they had to forcibly open doors, enabling several cleaners to escape with their lives out the back of the building.  

Firefighters fought the blaze for several hours into the late morning, finally stomping on the stubborn fire that refused to be extinguished.  And, for having no firefighter injuries – Everyone Goes Home Safe.

The Boston Fire Department reported at 1245 hours EST, the fire was still smoldering.

It is estimated that damage to the Office Building is $2 Million.  Fire Investigators had been on scene but had not been able to access the inside of the building. Cause is currently unknown at this time and the BFD states they may not have a cause for a day or two.

A Structural Engineer was brought in as the Chief had concerns about a depression in the street.  Streets around the building were closed but were recently opened at 1535 hours EST.

Currently, there is 2-engines, 2-ladders along with a District Chief checking for hot spots.  The IC and Safety Chief had entered the building checking the interior.  

Some reports are coming back saying that a wooden floor at the rear of the building has been burned away.  A burned beam is currently holding up floor 1. 

We will report as soon as we receive more details about this incident.

(c) 2013 The NW Fire Blog