Chelsea Fire Fighters were dispatched to Box 236 at the Elderly Housing Development on Sixth and Walnut Streets on Saturday, July 2nd at 2:10 pm.
Crews from E2 and T1, under Deputy John Quatieri’s command, arrived to find a heavy smoke condition on the second floor. Locating the fire’s origin proved difficult initially, but after forcing entry to multiple apartments, firefighters discovered a kitchen fire. They deployed a 1¾ attack line to combat the blaze. As smoke spread throughout the structure, numerous residents appeared at windows seeking relief from the thick haze. Before a primary search could be completed, Deputy Quatieri declared a Working Fire, bringing additional crews from E1 and L2 to the first and second floors for primary and secondary searches and resident evacuation. E3 remained standing by in the Rapid Intervention Company role.
During the height of the firefighting effort, FF Robert Delaney of E1 found and rescued a Chiahuahua from a heavily smoke-filled apartment on the second floor while searching for occupants. Another resident whom firefighters rescued from the building had inhaled smoke but declined medical attention.
Within approximately 20 minutes, crews had the kitchen fire on the second floor of 38 Sixth Street under control. Residents were subsequently permitted to return to their units.
Chelsea Housing arrived at the scene to address cleanup of the impacted spaces.
An investigation into the fire’s cause has been undertaken by Chelsea Fire Prevention.
By Paul Koolloian
Chelsea Firefighters responded to a fire at the Elderly Housing Development at Sixth and Walnut Streets.