Boston-7th alarm- April Fools Day

Around 2 PM on Sunday April 1st, fire box 6167 located at Putnam & Chelsea streets was struck for a reported building fire at 330 Chelsea Street-a 3 story -6 family brick duplex. Engine 9 & Ladder 2 were first on the scene reporting heavy fire showing from the A/D side of the structure in close proximity to an exposure. Car 1 arrived and ordered the 3rd alarm. Conditions quickly deteriorated & the roof partial gave way forcing all members out of the building & defensive operations were set up. They were making good progress until they noticed the fire broke through the firewall to 328 Chelsea Street. The fire flashed over the ceiling and within minutes the the A/B  side of the structure was fully engulfed on floor 3; As a result the 6th alarm was sounded. The fire reached up to 7 alarms. Mutual aid responded from several surrounding communities to fill empty firehouses and the Red Cross was called in to assist the 44 occupants that were displaced by the blaze. 3 fire fighters were transported with minor injuries & 1 civilian was also transported

 Defensive operations underway. Partial roof collapse

 Firefighters on roof of exposure

 Firefighters taking a quick rehab as crews are cycled in & out.

 Venting upper floor shortly before the flash over

 Flash over in the works

 RETREAT! HOT!

 Chelsea engine 2 at work. Saratoga street side (rear of building)

 Numerous hand lines & blitz fire ops in the rear

 Chelsea engine 2 member standing by the blitz gun. Notice the giant puddle

 Pulling lines for a hydrant

 Numerous hand lines operating from floors 2 & 3 of the bravo exposure

 The greatest ladder action

 Deputy Dunbar speaking at quick news presser shortly after the 7th alarm was sounded

 Defensive operations still ongoing

 Operations team in front of the building

 Mayor Menino at the scene with staff speaking with residents

 The nearby box that was sounded for the alarm of fire

 Sidewalk in front of the fire building