Massive fire breaks out in buildings along Newport Avenue in Quincy

QUINCY, Mass. — A massive blaze sent smoke into the sky over Quincy Tuesday morning that could be seen for miles as crews worked to control flames.

The fire broke out at a building on Newport Avenue near Beale Street -- just across from the Wollaston T stop, according to Quincy Police. Officers were on scene to block off streets and help fire crews contain the situation.

A cab driving passing through the area spotted the flames and drove to the nearby fire station, alerting crews of the fire.

Fire officials told Boston 25 News 20 people were evacuated from the buildings along Newport Avenue where the fire spread quickly through at least four buildings. Three buildings were completely destroyed in the blaze.

Amidst the burning flames, there were frantic moments where people tried to connect with loved ones. One woman was looking for her son.

"I didn't know where he was and I didn't know if he was in the building," she said, nervously. "He's okay. He's right by my side...everyone is fine."

The building where the fire started was under construction at the time from damage sustained in a previous fire, the fire captain, Daniel Gorman, said.

Quincy's fire captain said battling the flames was difficult around construction equipment in the buildings. The high winds also made it harder to put out the flames and made it a concern that they would spread to the buildings behind where the fire started.

One of the building's contractors told Boston 25 News that they had been working on it for months.

"We were in the process of rebuilding the whole building. Rewiring, plumbing, sprinkler and stuff," said Ed Lee from Sunshine Construction. 'We have temporary power in the back that come into the building but other than that it had no power."

"It was blowing," Gorman said. "I'm going to say 20-25 miles per hour and it was going straight up the street so the fire just wanted to travel. Take right off."

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, where one had a cut on his hand while the other slipped and hurt his elbow.

According to the fire chief, the fire has been put under control, but crews will work into the night assisting with the aftermath.

It is still unclear what caused the fire.

The Red Cross is currently assisting over 30 people displaced by the fire.

The Wollaston T station has been closed since January 2019 and will remain shuttered for renovations until this summer.

Cox Media Group