BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM)--A 7 alarm fire destroys a 5-story apartment building in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood Saturday afternoon sending 10 residents and 1 firefighter to the hospital. A number of people had to be rescued through a third floor window. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
The fire broke out around 3:15 p.m. yesterday on Hemenway Street. According to Boston fire officials, it started on the second floor and quickly spread to other parts of the building until it reached the roof which collapsed onto the top floor. Responders were also hampered by the Nor'easter pummeling the area with winds fanning the flames and making it dangerous to use ladders.
The building houses mostly college students from nearby Northeastern University, Berklee School of Music and Emerson College. In all the fire displaced almost 100 people. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says the city is working to help find new housing for students left homeless. Officials say the building is a total write off. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.