5-Alarm Fire Damages Several Buildings In East Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - A 5-alarm fire damaged several buildings in East Boston Friday evening.
The blaze broke out on Chelsea Street at about 7:15 p.m. and was knocked down about 45 minutes later.
Firefighters say extreme heat and wooden frames made 107 and 109 Chelsea Street go up like a tinder box and allowed the fire to scorch the exteriors of at least three other buildings, including Santarpio's Pizza.
Building owner Vincenzo Grasso claims his AC unit on the first floor exploded, causing the blaze. He ran out and then ran back in to save his dog.
"All of a sudden I heard a bang!" Grasso said. "I ran and I pulled the plug out. The whole house caught on fire and it caught next door."
Looking towards side of Santarpio's pic.twitter.com/f8kgp9TMkW
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) July 23, 2016
Crews believe everyone escaped unscathed, but at least six units are now ruined.
On Thursday afternoon, firefighters battled a stubborn fire in Charlestown that destroyed a condo building.
Stay with CBSBoston.com as more information becomes available.