A three-alarm fire that struck the 300th block of Crescent Avenue last Saturday night resulted in $400,000 in damages, exposed infrastructure problems along Crescent Avenue, and garnered coverage on national news outlets. The blaze displaced 13 residents from their homes.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at 8 p.m., the Chelsea Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 375 Crescent Ave. Engine 3 and Ladder 2 arrived first from the Mill Hill Station, where Acting Captain Doherty observed heavy fire on the second floor of 375 Crescent Ave. and called for a second alarm.
Deputy Chief Robert Cameron responded to the scene and discovered the fire had spread to an adjacent building at 373 Crescent Ave., prompting him to request a third alarm assignment.
The flames rapidly consumed both structures while crews from Ladder 2 and Tower 1 searched inside for residents. Engine 3 attempted to connect to a hydrant on Crescent Avenue, but the hydrant was frozen, delaying the deployment of water lines into 375 Crescent Ave.
Without water protection, firefighters were forced to evacuate the building as temperatures became unbearable.
The situation deteriorated quickly, and Deputy Chief Cameron ordered all personnel to exit both buildings. As crews left 373 Crescent Ave., the roof collapsed into the second floor.
Complications mounted when burning power lines fell onto the sidewalk where firefighters were positioning hose lines for exterior attack. Operations proceeded with caution until NStar de-energized the lines approximately 45 minutes later.
Water supply inadequacy on Crescent Avenue presented another significant obstacle.
Engine 1 connected to a hydrant at Carroll Street but experienced pressure loss as additional engines tapped into the same water main. Assistance from Lynn and Winthrop established a relay pump operation that supplied Chelsea Engine 1 from a hydrant on Clinton Street.
Firefighters spent seven hours extinguishing the blaze.
The Red Cross relocated all 13 displaced occupants to the Wyndham Hotel.
No injuries were reported among the residents.
Mutual aid from Everett, Revere, Malden, Winthrop, Somerville, Medford and Lynn supported Chelsea firefighters in controlling the fire. Boston Engine 5 and Medford Ladder 2 covered Central Station while Melrose Engine 3 covered the Mill Hill Station.
The Fire Investigation Unit determined that a light fixture on the second floor of 375 Crescent Ave. was the fire’s origin.
Both structures sustained extensive damage, with combined losses estimated at $400,000.