Over 100 now homeless after 5-alarm fire in Revere burns for hours

REVERE, Mass. — Firefighters in Revere battled a fire at an apartment complex on Franklin Street Sunday that burned out of control for several hours and left about 120 people without a place to live.

Early Monday morning, firefighters were still spraying the complex with water.

None of the people who lived in the building were injured. About 5 firefighters were treated for heat and exhaustion-related issues, but are expected to be okay.

"They fought this fire valiantly, but just to no avail," Revere Fire Chief Glen Rich said.

Tenants at the Gateway East Condos at 10 Franklin Ave. said they started smelling smoke around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

"We knocked on the door to see if everyone can come out," Revere resident Mariano Fernandez said. "I got out with my cat and my stuff, and I get out like this."

Zouhair Mouty said the main priority was to get the children to safety.

"My first thing was to get my kids out," Mouty said. "In the beginning, my little one was crying and so afraid. It's tough."

Firefighters believe the flames were burning for a long time before they got the call.

"When we arrived, we had smoke coming from the fourth floor," Rich said. "But, we had smoke coming from the basement and every other level, too."

Initially, firefighters were able to get inside, and they made sure everyone was out.

While using thermal imaging cameras, however, they realized the fire was all around them.

"They could tell that the fire was in the ceilings and in the walls," Rich said.

The fire reached five alarms as part of the roof collapsed.

At least 120 people lived in the 39 units in the apartment complex, and many watched the building burn while hoping their units would be spared.

As sunset neared and the flames continued to burn after hours, residents began to figure out that all may have been lost.

"The problem now is what's next?" Mouty said. "Where are we going to be tonight? What's going to happen tomorrow?"

MORE: Firefighter injured while battling house fire in Lawrence

The Red Cross set up a shelter at Revere High School for anyone who needs it and will be helping displaced tenants.

Investigators will determine if it is safe to enter the building after a forensic examination of the scene, a spokesperson for the Mass. Department of Fire Services said Monday. The fire is not considered suspicious.

Revere Fire and Police and the State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire, but it is not considered suspicious at this time, the DFS statement said.

Cox Media Group