Fire Destroys 5 Buildings In Waltham Apartment Complex
WALTHAM (CBS) -- A massive early-morning fire destroyed an Elm Street apartment complex that was under construction Sunday.
The blaze was first reported around 4 a.m., and it took crews from over a dozen different communities nearly four hours to get it under control.
Massive fire on Elm St. in #Waltham @WalthamFireDept @cbsboston #WBZ pic.twitter.com/TUYN3BE5PF
— Mike Moses (@MikeMosesPR) July 23, 2017
Almost fifteen hours later you could still see smoke.
Five apartment buildings under construction, set to hold 260 units, were destroyed in the blaze, which spanned about two blocks.
Waltham Fire Chief Paul Ciccone said crews experienced water pressure issues due to the sheer size of the fire.
"We had the water department come in and re-direct some flows throughout the city, they open up some gates, bring more water into the area," he said. "But with a fire this size, this volume of fire, the only thing you can use is water--and with the amount of water we used, you're gonna run short."
Here's another angle of the #Waltham fire on Elm St @cbsboston @WalthamFireDept #WBZ pic.twitter.com/CuvGukfPyF
— Mike Moses (@MikeMosesPR) July 23, 2017
Chief Ciccone said it could take a few days to get heavy equipment in to move the debris and completely extinguish the fire.
"It won't be out for quite a while because of the debris," he said. "We're gonna wet it down, cool it off as much as we can. Then, we will have to bring equipment in to take it apart and complete extinguishment."
Video from the fire in #Waltham on Elm St @cbsboston @WalthamFireDept #WBZ pic.twitter.com/j0B1uoHh1v
— Mike Moses (@MikeMosesPR) July 23, 2017
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
2 firefighters suffered minor injuries battling 8 alarm fire in #Waltham. Couple of elderly highrises evacuated as precaution. #wbz #wbznews pic.twitter.com/knbpMHdU0z
— Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) July 23, 2017
"The whole landscape has completely changed, it's crazy," one man commented.
The fire could be seen from miles away.
Massive 8-alarm #Waltham fire can be seen from #Boston. Picture from viewer Mary Jane Nevin. @cbsboston #WBZ pic.twitter.com/dnUUAsqqOs
— Anaridis Rodriguez (@Anaridis) July 23, 2017
Nearly 150 seniors in nearby high rises were evacuated as a precaution and taken to a school in Waltham.
Larry Steinfield, 101-years-old, was not too phased.
"It didn't affect our apartment except it put the power out, that is why we are here," Steinfeld explained.
He was focused on the positive aspects of the situation, "This pizza is the best pizza I've ever eaten, do you know why? I haven't eaten since yesterday."
Waltham seniors evacuated from fire seeking shelter at McDevitt Middle school where there is food &H2O #wbz pic.twitter.com/4CEO93A49m
— Paul Burton (@PaulWBZ) July 23, 2017
The fire response slightly disrupted the MBTA Commuter Rail Sunday morning.
Fitchburg Trn 2401 (outbound) will be bused btwn Waverley & Brandeis/Roberts and WILL stop at Main ST in Waltham due to Fire Dept activity.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) July 23, 2017
Waltham Police said the Latino Fest Parade was canceled due to the fire response.
Roads leading to the apartment complex were closed.
Last week, the city and the fire department approved the apartment buildings during an inspection, according to a Callahan construction spokesperson.
The fire remains under investigation.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports