Staff Report
Firefighters are pictured at the scene of the fire Sunday at 263 Princeton St. in East Boston.
Twenty-one residents were displaced following a four-alarm fire Sunday just after 6 p.m. that struck a multi-family home at 263 Princeton Street and spread to adjacent properties on Princeton and Saratoga Streets.
Firefighters rushed to the scene after a neighbor had called 911. Firefighters could be seen dramatically breaking through a chain-link fence to get immediate access and contain the fast-moving blaze.
Boston Fire Department spokeswoman Sharon Galloway said residents “self-evacuated” from the homes upon hearing the smoke detector alarms and there were no injuries to the residents. One firefighter suffered burns to his hands and was transported to the hospital where he was treated for the injury and released.
Deputy Fire Chief Steven Shaffer told NBC Boston on the scene that the fire spread “just like in a minute or two, extended into the building on the third floor, and it eventually spread to the rear of the building next to it on the left hand side, got into that attic and it also got the siding on two buildings in the back on fire.”
Shaffer added, “There was substantial damage to the rear porches, which have been destroyed on the original building, and there’s damage to the third floor. The rest of it, it’s not minor, but they’re salvageable.”
Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall was on scene and led an outstanding effort by firefighters from all three fire stations in East Boston and firefighters from other fire companies in Boston.
The American Red Cross collaborated with the BFD to assist with temporary housing for the residents. Galloway also commended the Boston Sparks Association, a volunteer group, for their valuable assistance on the scene.
The offices of Sen. Lydia Edwards, Rep. Adrian Madaro, and City Councillor Gabriela Coletta Zapata also reached out to the displaced residents to provide important resources.
Edwards praised the firefighters for their swift response and dedication to their profession.
“I was devastated to hear about the fire on Princeton Street and Saratoga Street, which displaced several of our neighbors and injured one of our firefighters,” said Edwards. “I want to thank the Boston Fire Department for their swift response and dedication to keeping our community safe during this emergency. I also want to thank the Red Cross for stepping in to support the families and residents affected. We will be sharing resources and ways to help those impacted.”