Somerville Five-Alarm Fire Displaces 43 in Teele Square

Forty-three people lost their homes on Wednesday, Sept. 30, when a five-alarm fire swept through the upper floors of a three-story mixed-use building in Somerville's Teele Square, city officials said. Everyone inside got out safely, but the fire and the water used to fight it left the building's 32 apartments unlivable.

Timeline

The fire broke out at about 4:50 p.m. in the building at 1137-1147 Broadway, near Curtis Street, according to Patch. Flames moved through the third floor and roof, and the response escalated to five alarms. Firefighters from Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Belmont, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere and Watertown assisted the Somerville Fire Department, and Medford supplied a drone to help commanders track the fire. Crews had the blaze under control by about 6 p.m.

Somerville Fire Chief Charles Breen told The Boston Globe that the fire required "a lot of manpower." He said all occupants were out, and firefighters also rescued two cats.

Who was affected

The city said the fire affected 32 homes and displaced 43 residents. No residents were hurt. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

The third floor and roof took heavy fire and smoke damage, while lower floors suffered extensive water damage, Patch reported. The building's ground floor houses several businesses, including Teele Square Coin Laundry, Happy Crab, Masala and Bluemoon Smoke and Vape Outlets, all of which were affected.

Mayor Jake Wilson said first responders "worked tirelessly" and that, thankfully, no residents were injured.

Aid for displaced residents

City staff and the American Red Cross are coordinating temporary housing and immediate needs, the City of Somerville said. The city and the Somerville Homeless Coalition also activated the Emergency Displacement Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to Somerville residents displaced by fires and other emergencies. The city is directing donors to bit.ly/shcfund and says gifts of any size help. The Board of Health was working to identify all affected households, according to the Globe.

Residents who need language assistance or accessibility support can contact the city's ADA coordinator at 617-625-6600, ext. 2059, or email languageaccess@somervillema.gov.

Cause

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Officials have not released any preliminary findings.

What renters in older mixed-use buildings should know

Apartments above storefronts are common in Greater Boston and in older neighborhoods nationwide. These buildings can carry extra risk because commercial kitchens, laundries and retail spaces sit directly beneath homes, and fires that reach roofs and attics can spread quickly. This fire also shows how water damage can displace tenants on floors the flames never touched.

• Know two ways out. In walk-up buildings, identify your main stairway and a second exit, such as a rear stair or fire escape, and keep both clear.
• Test smoke alarms monthly. Massachusetts requires working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rental units. If yours is missing or not working, report it to your landlord in writing and, if it is not fixed, to your local board of health or fire department.
• Insure your belongings. A landlord's policy covers the building, not your furniture, clothes or electronics. Renters insurance usually costs a modest monthly amount and can also cover temporary housing.
• If displaced, ask about your lease. Ask your landlord in writing how rent will be handled while your unit is uninhabitable, and contact local legal aid if you are unsure of your rights under Massachusetts law.

Displaced Somerville residents should stay in contact with the Red Cross and city staff about housing and fund eligibility. Neighbors who want to help are generally better served by giving money through an established fund than by dropping off clothing or household goods, which displaced families often have no place to store while they are in temporary housing.