Jamaica Plain Fire Displaces 12+; Rear Wall Unstable

More than a dozen people cannot go home after a fire in a six-unit apartment building on Boylston Street in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Smoke and water damage were part of the reason, but firefighters also found something more worrying: the building's rear wall appeared to be moving.

What happened

Boston Fire Department received the call at 5:52 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, for a fire at 211 Boylston St. According to the Boston Globe, the flames started in a back room of a third-floor apartment. No one was inside when firefighters went in, and no injuries were reported.

Crews opened walls and ceilings to stop the fire from getting into the roof. During that work they noticed the rear wall leaning outward. NBC Boston, citing the fire department, described the rear walls as structurally unstable. The fire was put out and everyone was cleared from the building.

Who is affected

Boston Fire said 12 or more residents were displaced. Residents cannot return for now because of smoke damage, water damage and the question of whether the structure is safe. Boston.com reported that about 23 people were displaced across two fires that weekend, one on Boylston Street and one in Dorchester, but the 12-plus figure for Jamaica Plain comes from the fire department as relayed by the Globe and NBC Boston.

The fire department's Victim Assistance Unit and the American Red Cross arranged emergency help for the people who lost their homes. At about 8:30 p.m., the fire department turned the building over to the city's Inspectional Services Department and the owner.

What officials still have not said

• The cause of the fire is under investigation.
• Coverage so far does not say when, or whether, residents will be allowed back.
• No repair timeline for the rear wall has been reported.

Sources differ slightly on timing. The Globe and Boston.com place the call at 5:52 p.m. Saturday, while NBC Boston's report was updated Sunday morning. We use the Saturday evening time given by the fire department.

Why a leaning wall changes the timeline

When a fire is out but a wall may not be sound, the question is no longer only cleanup. Inspectors typically have to decide whether the building can be repaired in place, shored up or kept closed, and that review can take days or longer. Residents often cannot go in even to collect belongings until the structure is declared safe to enter, so anyone displaced should ask the fire department or the city inspectors how and when supervised access to a unit can be arranged.

What this means for renters

A building can be declared unsafe even after a fire is out. When inspectors step in, tenants often face a stretch of uncertainty, so a few steps help right away:

• Get everything in writing. Ask the landlord, in an email or letter, when you can get back in, and keep copies of any notices from the city.
• Document your losses. Photograph what you can and list belongings for your renters insurance claim. A renters policy with loss-of-use coverage can pay for temporary housing; our insurance guide explains how that works.
• Ask about rent and your deposit. Massachusetts law and your lease determine whether rent is owed for a unit you cannot use. A local tenant-rights group or legal aid office can explain your options.
• Use the aid on offer. Fire victim-assistance staff and the Red Cross can help with short-term lodging, food and replacing medications or documents.

For a broader checklist, see our first-72-hours guide for tenants.