Brighton senior complex blaze contained
Boston firefighters on Thursday morning responded to a four-alarm fire at a senior housing complex in Brighton that filled hallways with smoke, making evacuations difficult for some residents, according to the fire department.
“You couldn’t see nothing. We both got out fighting our way through the hallway trying to see where we’re going. It was pitch black,” said Keith Boutwell, 60, a resident of the complex at 20 Washington St., who was evacuated from the second floor after the fire started.
Boutwell, who says he’s lived at the complex for more than three years, was without shoes when he evacuated next door. He hopes the building is deemed safe to re-enter quickly.
“All of the stuff must be damaged by now,” he said.
Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn said firefighters helped evacuate three residents from the rear of the building via ground ladders.
At the scene, shattered windows were visible as firefighters moved in to secure the building and move people to safety.
Finn said two people were being transported to the hospital for injuries from smoke inhalation.
“The fire came in around 8:20 (Thursday) morning. We got it as a central station, which means the alarm went off in the building. We responded, first companies arrived and said there was smoke showing in the front of the building, which triggered first-alarm response, then they ordered second alarm immediately after that,” Finn said.
During the initial response, the fire department tweeted: “Companies are taking occupants out over ladders. Major evacuation process taking place a 4th Alarm ordered.”
The department reported heavy smoke from the building on arrival.
Following the initial attack and evacuation of residents, the department reported the fire was knocked down at about 9:24 a.m.