A 4-alarm fire broke out on the first floor of 26 Cooper Street near the N. Margin Street intersection in Boston’s North End shortly after 11pm on Tuesday night. The fire quickly climbed to the roof of the building causing flames to burst out of windows “as seen in the movies,” said one witness. One person was taken to the hospital with burns, according to BFD. Two women found their egress locked and jumped from windows to the arms of residents below.
Boston Fire responded in minutes, taking an aggressive approach to avoid having the fire spread to neighboring buildings. They were able to extinguish the fire about a half hour later with about 100 firefighters on the scene. BFD estimates about $1 million of damage. Thirteen residents were displaced from the building. Many in neighboring buildings also moved out for the night due to the smell of smoke. More details and photos in the “Storify” segment below.
Fire on North End’s Cooper Street
Storified by NorthEndWaterfront.com · Tue, Sep 04 2012 21:11:29
Fire on Cooper St. in North End. RT @BostonFire One occupant transported by Boston EMS to Mass General with burns.Noah Leavitt
@universalhub – HUGE fire in the North End! Corner of Cooper and N Margin. http://pic.twitter.com/KgVny1OmATF
MA | BOSTON |**4TH ALARM**| 26 COOPER ST. | FIRE ON ALL FLOORS & THROUGH THE ROOF OF A 4 STORY 40X60 BRICK. 6 LIN… http://bit.ly/LcAqDsusemergalerts
RT @PaulDabene: @alertnewengland Fire, Cooper Street, Boston http://pic.twitter.com/YZZ53OnnSteve
(WHDH) 4-alarm fire breaks out in North End: BOSTON — A 4-alarm fire broke out on Cooper Street in the North En… http://bit.ly/Tgni2GBostonNewsSource
4TH ALARM BOSTON, MA – 26 COOPER ST : I/C REQUEST THE 4TH ALARM FIRE ALL FLRS & ROOF OF A 4 STORY BRICK I/C REPORTS EXTERIOR OPS ONLYBob
RT @kgreeley: HUGE fire on Cooper – http://twitpic.com/ar853i #northend #4alarm #scaryBrendan Brennan
Boston MA, update: 4th alarm being struck for the Cooper St fire, firefighters forced out, fire is taking over.Steve
RT @1RWN: 4th Alarm Boston, MA Box 1212 60 Cooper St (North End) B/O Deputy Chief Finn. Fire all floors of 4 story brick.6 lines S&O …Thomas Schifini
View of fire trucks from wiget st. For fire on cooper st. In north end http://pic.twitter.com/cML37nKmJackSullivan19
Great work by Bostons bravest tonight in the north end @bostonfireDept huge fire knocked down on Cooper and north marginAndrew deGaravilla
View of the cooper steet fire from my apt. Could smell the smoke from the open windows #northend #scary http://pic.twitter.com/FMSC9hUgjenny_kowalski
Second night in North End and there’s a huge fire on Cooper St. This has turned out to be quite an exciting night. Hoping everyone is safe!Jennie White
Update Boston 4 alarm Fire for 26 Cooper St, exterior attack http://via.me/-4rp7hlgEngineCo.3
Bravo Zulu to the men and women of the Boston Fire Department, great job stopping the fire on Cooper Street tonight.Steve
The Boston Police Department is releasing the following images in an effort to identify the individuals pictured in relation to an arson incident which occurred in the area of 241 Hanover Street in the North End. Detectives are looking to identify a white hispanic male with multiple tattoos in his neck and shoulder area and Read More…
In an effort to streamline the logistics of those in need from the early September Cooper Street fire, neighbors have set up a Facebook page, called NorthEnd Relief. “We have a lot of folks prepared to help,” said organizer Rhonda Lee who is working with Mary Marenghi on the effort. The website is intended to Read More…
Welcome back to our weekly update that highlights some of the cases appearing on 311 in the North End/Waterfront neighborhoods. All 311 cases are public information and can be found at 311.boston.gov. Public Works Kudos Two 311 users gave a shout-out to public works for keeping up with the trash build up during the big Boston move weekend. Read More…
12 Replies to “4 Alarm Fire on Cooper Street Tuesday Night; One Transported to Hospital”
What’s the best way to help out our neighbors when something like this happens?
please let me know if there is anything North End residents can do to help with those displaced by the fire at Cooper Street.
thank you!
Call the fire department and stay out of the way.
Hi Steve,
I got a message back referring me to the Fire Station. Im guessing the one on Hanover Street would have info re: helping our fellow residents.
Also the Union Hall can help they are on Hallet Street in Dorchester. they have been doing this for years.
My thoughts are with the people displaced and I hope for a speedy recovery of the person that ended up in the hospital!
I just came upon this post. Thank you Jane for asking that question. I am the person who went to the hospital after being caught in a burning building with no way out. Thanks to my neighbors at 24 and 22 Cooper St. I was not burned to death and escaped. I went to MGH and Spaulding was there for 2.5 months. I had to learn to walk and use my hands. Now I am learning to live with the scars, but it is quite a challenge. I have great family and friends helping me through the transition.
Check to see if anyone is organizing a collection for household goods, clothing etc? (Churches, ABCD, Red Cross) Organize a fundraiser?
I know that the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been on the scene with those displaced. Some of the area restaurants/businesses have reached out with food and such.
Caffe Pompeii became the refuge point on the night of the fire for many of the displaced and volunteers.
I have not heard of any fund or collection yet. If I do, I’ll post it and would ask that others do the same. Thanks.
I have plenty of women’s clothes, good quality, in various sizes. Please let me know if anyone needs them.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army connect victims with resources. To note, be sure to always purchase insurance ahead of any residential move. One never knows what happens to one’s belongings on the way, during the move or the first couple of nights. Big surprise though that the secondary egress was blocked.
What’s the best way to help out our neighbors when something like this happens?
please let me know if there is anything North End residents can do to help with those displaced by the fire at Cooper Street.
thank you!
Call the fire department and stay out of the way.
Hi Steve,
I got a message back referring me to the Fire Station. Im guessing the one on Hanover Street would have info re: helping our fellow residents.
Take care.
Gwen
Contact the Boston Fire Unions “Burn Foundation”
http://www.bostonfirefightersburnfoundation.com/
Also the Union Hall can help they are on Hallet Street in Dorchester. they have been doing this for years.
My thoughts are with the people displaced and I hope for a speedy recovery of the person that ended up in the hospital!
I just came upon this post. Thank you Jane for asking that question. I am the person who went to the hospital after being caught in a burning building with no way out. Thanks to my neighbors at 24 and 22 Cooper St. I was not burned to death and escaped. I went to MGH and Spaulding was there for 2.5 months. I had to learn to walk and use my hands. Now I am learning to live with the scars, but it is quite a challenge. I have great family and friends helping me through the transition.
Check to see if anyone is organizing a collection for household goods, clothing etc? (Churches, ABCD, Red Cross) Organize a fundraiser?
I know that the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been on the scene with those displaced. Some of the area restaurants/businesses have reached out with food and such.
Caffe Pompeii became the refuge point on the night of the fire for many of the displaced and volunteers.
I have not heard of any fund or collection yet. If I do, I’ll post it and would ask that others do the same. Thanks.
I have plenty of women’s clothes, good quality, in various sizes. Please let me know if anyone needs them.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army connect victims with resources. To note, be sure to always purchase insurance ahead of any residential move. One never knows what happens to one’s belongings on the way, during the move or the first couple of nights. Big surprise though that the secondary egress was blocked.
Does anyone know how the fire started?