Jamaica Plain Fire Leaves Six-Unit Building Unstable, 12+ Displaced

More than a dozen Boston renters spent Halloween weekend unable to return home after a fire at a six-unit apartment building on Boylston Street in Jamaica Plain. The flames were not the only problem: firefighters noticed that part of the building's rear wall was shifting, which made the structure unsafe to reoccupy.

What happened

Boston Fire Department crews were called to 211 Boylston St. at 5:52 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, according to a department spokesperson quoted by The Boston Globe. Smoke was visible when they arrived. The fire had started in a back room of a third-floor apartment.

Firefighters opened walls and ceilings to stop the fire from reaching the roof and extinguished it. During that work they saw the rear wall moving and leaning outward, which raised alarms about stability. The city's Inspectional Services Department was called in. At about 8:30 p.m., the building was handed over to Inspectional Services and the property owner, the Globe reported.

Who was affected

The department said more than a dozen residents were displaced. Boston 25 News similarly reported more than 12 displaced and said the back walls were found to be structurally unstable. No one was inside when firefighters entered, and no injuries were reported. Neither outlet said how many of the six apartments were damaged beyond the unit where the fire began; smoke and water damage plus the structural concern kept everyone out.

The department's Victim Assistance Unit and the American Red Cross arranged emergency help for those who lost access to their homes.

Cause and what comes next

Officials have not released a cause. The spokesperson said it remains under investigation. There was no public information on how long the building would stay closed, whether repairs or demolition might be needed, or who owns it.

What this means for renters

A fire that damages a building's structure, not only a single apartment, can turn a short displacement into a long one. The building cannot be reoccupied until the city's inspectors clear it, and that decision rests with them, not the landlord. A few points matter for tenants in this position:

• Ask for the inspection status in writing. Tenants can ask the landlord and the city when the building will be assessed and what conditions must be met before anyone can return.
• Understand your rent obligations. Whether rent is paused when a unit is unlivable depends on the lease and on state law. Massachusetts tenants who are unsure can contact the city's housing or tenant-assistance offices or a legal-aid group; do not simply stop paying without advice.
• Use your renters insurance. Loss-of-use or additional-living-expense coverage can pay for lodging while a unit is uninhabitable. See our explainer on renters insurance after a fire.
• Keep records. Save every text, email and receipt, and photograph belongings and damage if you are allowed supervised access.

Our first-72-hours checklist walks through ID replacement, medications, school and work notices, and other early tasks.

Crews had to open walls and ceilings here to chase the fire, a reminder that flames can travel through concealed spaces in multi-unit buildings. Nobody was home when this fire was discovered, but that will not always be the case, and working smoke alarms in every bedroom and hallway are what buy residents time to leave. For basics, see our guide to smoke alarms and escape plans.

What we could not confirm

The reports we reviewed did not say who owns the building, how many of the six apartments were damaged, whether repairs or demolition are likely, or how long residents will be out. We have left those points open instead of guessing, and we will update this story if officials announce a cause or give a timeline for reopening the building.