VIDEO: The Boston Fire Department responded to a blaze Saturday night in the city that sent one resident and one firefighter to the hospital. Firefighters, many of whom had responded to the Corwin Street fire in Dorchester Saturday night, were called to 143 Poplar Street around 1:30 a.m. for heavy black smoke pouring from a large 2.5-story building and a report of people still inside. Video shows responding crews encountered heavy flames shooting from the attic, and more mutual aid was requested.
By 2:12 a.m., the fire department said all occupants were out of the building. Deputy Chief Michael Doherty said two people were rescued from windows. Due to the heavy fire, all firefighters were ordered out, and crews switched to a defensive approach, using multiple portable deck guns to surround the building. Heavy fire was knocked down just before 3 a.m., with firefighters continuing to chase hot spots. According to the fire department, crews ran over 3,000 feet of hose line to battle the flames. Firefighters were also rotated to keep them fresh on a hot and humid night, the fire department said. It was a busy 24 hours for Boston firefighters, with many of them working the Corwin Street fire in Dorchester till late Saturday night, and then being called to the Poplar Street blaze around 1:30 a.m.
The firefighter and resident who were transported by EMS had minor injuries, according to the fire department. Ten people were displaced by the overnight fire, and they will be assisted by the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. Damages are estimated at $800,000+, the fire department said. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
