Fire can be seen bursting out of a side window at El Dorado
Bakery on Congress Street during a Thanksgiving morning
fire that caused more than $400,000 in damages. Chelsea
firefighters worked the scene until 4 p.m. the next day.
A fully-involved fire devastated the well-known El Dorado Bakery building on Congress Avenue during the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, resulting in near total loss of the structure.
The initial emergency call came in regarding a possible fire at 23 Congress Ave., but firefighters discovered the actual problem lay elsewhere.
Deputy Chief Robert Cameron and his team quickly identified smoke pouring from 18 Congress Ave., where El Dorado was located.
A working fire assignment was immediately ordered and hose lines were advanced into the building by arriving crews.
The situation rapidly worsened, forcing officials to strike a second alarm.
All personnel were evacuated from the building as firefighters switched to a defensive strategy, taking into account the densely populated nature of the downtown location.
Additional mutual aid companies were called to assist, and residents at 24 Congress St. were evacuated from their homes as firefighters battled intense flames.
The structure became fully engulfed and the roof eventually collapsed.
Fortunately, no one was inside the business at the time and no firefighters sustained injuries. Property damage was assessed at more than $400,000.
Firefighting operations continued until 4 p.m. on the following day.