Investigators Seek Cause Of Nine-Alarm Allston Fire
BOSTON (CBS) – Boston firefighters have not yet determined the cause of a nine-alarm fire in Allston that displaced dozens of residents and injured multiple people.
Five firefighters were hurt and about 50 people were forced out of their homes in the fire, which began at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment building on Harvard Terrace.
On Thursday, Boston Fire Department officials said there will be a full team of investigators on scene in an attempt to find the point of origin and cause of the fire. The investigative team includes two Boston police detectives trained in fire investigation.
Officials said residents from 8 and 12 Harvard Terrace will return to their homes briefly to retrieve their belongings from inside the building later in the day Thursday.
Firefighters believe the flames started on the rear porch of the three-story brick apartment building. The fire continued to spread inside and eventually through the roof, moving so quickly that firefighters were ordered out because of fears the building might collapse.
YouTube video shows the severity of the flames, which spread into several units in the building.
Watch: Raw video of the fire:
Displaced residents were bused to the Jackson Mann School in Allston following the fire, where Red Cross representatives assisted.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said on Thursday that students were not living in the apartments, adding that it was mostly immigrants who resided there.
"I'm very grateful that no one got hurt," said Walsh.
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