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Firefighters responded to the fire at a triple-decker home on 32-34 Cottage Street just after midnight on Thursday, Aug. 16, the Department of Fire Services said. The fire started on one of the house's back porches, Chelsea Fire Chief Leonard Albanese said.
“Porch fires are especially dangerous because they can grow and spread to the rest of the building before anyone inside is aware of the danger," Chief Albanese said. "In a densely built area, they can also spread to nearby buildings and put many, many people at risk. It’s especially important to practice fire safety on your porch, balcony, or deck.”
Heavy flames were seen shooting out of the building and multiple people were said to be trapped inside, Boston25 reports. One person was recused by ladder while everyone else was able to get out on their own, the outlet reports.
Overall, 23 adults and nine children were reportedly in the home at the time of the fire, according to WHDH. Two firefighters suffering from exhaustion-related injuries were taken to local hospitals for treatment as well, the outlet continues.
“The entire rear of the structure was burning on all three floors," Chelsea Fire Chief Leonard Albanese told Boston25. "The porches are gone. And all companies worked aggressively to contain this to the building of origin.”
Several families also suffered significant property damage and loss, according to several GoFundMe campaigns.
"My brother-in-law's apartment burned & they have nothing but the clothes on their backs," one GoFundMe read. "Their 4 lil ones [are left] with nothing left except the clothes they had on when the fire started."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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