BOSTON — Boston firefighters rescued a total of 12 people, including five children, after raging blaze broke out at a duplex in the city’s Mattapan neighborhood early Tuesday morning, officials said.
Crews responding to a report of a multi-alarm blaze at 55 Cedar Street around 1 a.m. found flames on the second and third floors of the multi-family home, according to the Boston Fire Department.
Firefighters used a drone equipped with thermal imaging to track and attack the fire as it spread across the roof of the building, Boston Fire Deputy Chief Michael Hocking said. They also struggled to setup ladders to battle the flames due to wires and trees near the home.
The blaze was knocked down shortly after 2 a.m. and crews spent hours overhauling the burned-out duplex.
Seven adults and the five children were safely evacuated and are now displaced.
There were no reported injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Dedicated Members of A-10 @BostonSparks spent 3 1/2 hours in the middle of the night at the 2 alarm fire on Cedar st. , until the last fire company finally left the scene . Thank you pic.twitter.com/WzOzjNcLRv
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
Deputy Chief Michael Hocking addressed the media on the 2 alarm Cedar St fire where companies assisted 5 children & 7 adults evacuate & are now displaced. There were no injuries reported . Companies are clearing out. BFD-VAU is on scene to assist families with emergency services pic.twitter.com/phGnqDqEAK
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
Companies had a hard setup for ladders due to wires and trees but got all sides covered well. The rear windows put up a fight with child safety bars in windows but were no real match as well. pic.twitter.com/SaXfB22OOT
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
Heavy fire knocked down, all occupants were safely evacuated from the building. Companies are overhauling. pic.twitter.com/TWAJEZy2RH
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
Companies continue to chase the fire which has traveled across the roof of the duplex building . The Drone unit shows the heat from above pic.twitter.com/zeuPbpqBQD
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
At approximately 1:00 Companies working a 55 Cedar St. Mattapan. Fire on the 2nd and 3rd floor.The Fire has extended across to 57 Cedar st. a 2nd alarm has been ordered. pic.twitter.com/4wbfnqdsBL
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 31, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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