The Chelsea Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Saturday night, March 8, at 5 Admirals Way, the Chelsea Village Apartments. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered one person with burns and smoke inhalation injuries.
The injured resident was transported to Mass General in Boston and appears to be recovering.
Shortly after 11:00 p.m., the Chelsea 9-1-1 center received an alarm signal from 5 Admirals Way. Dispatched to the scene were Engine 1 from the Prattville Station, Engine 3 and Ladder 2 from the Mill Hill Station, Tower Ladder 1, and the Deputy Chief from Central Station.
The building at 5 Admirals Way is a 7-story residential structure with partial automatic sprinkler protection. Due to its large resident population, it qualifies as a high-risk occupancy, mandating that the fire department send a minimum of three engines and two ladder trucks to all fire alarm activations.
Engine 2 was finishing up a call on Congress Avenue, where they had assisted in delivering a baby, when they received the dispatch and headed to the alarm activation.
Engine 2 arrived first and reported that the alarm was for the 5th floor. Firefighters climbed to that level and encountered heavy smoke in the hallway. The Engine 2 crew carried 200 feet of hose and connected it to the building’s standpipe system without delay.
As more units arrived, Deputy Chief Robert Zalewski declared a “working fire” assignment.
Tower 1 personnel reached the 5th floor and found the fire in Unit 511. They entered the apartment to search for occupants while Engine 2 advanced a hose line from the stairwell.
Engine 1 and Ladder 2 proceeded to the 6th floor to evacuate residents above the fire and check for extension. On the 4th floor landing, Engine 1’s crew encountered an occupant who was burned and experiencing breathing difficulties. They brought this person to the lobby for treatment until EMS arrived and transported him to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Engine 3 took over Engine 1’s assignment to check the 6th floor for fire extension.
Firefighters on the 5th floor extinguished the fire and contained it to Unit 511. Heavy smoke affected floors 5 and 6. After venting the building and using multi gas meters to verify air quality, crews allowed residents to return to their apartments.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation by the department’s Fire Investigation Unit.