Boston Fire Chief Resigns Amid Bombings Controversy

The Boston Globe reports that Boston Fire Department command staff allege that chief Steve E. Abraira botched the handling of the Boston Marathon Bombings.

After two years on the job, Boston’s top fire official has resigned in the wake of his supposed controversial handling of response to the Boston Marathon Bombings. The Boston Globe reports Steve E. Abraira, chief of the Boston Fire Department, has resigned following complaints from 13 deputy chiefs who have accused him of failing to take control of the scene of the bombings April 15. In an April letter to Mayor Thomas Menino, the deputy chiefs claim Abraira left the scene in the “hand of law enforcement,” according to the story. Abraira has argued that the scene appeared under control when he arrived.  Abraira was the first Boston Fire chief in history hired from outside its union, the Globe reports.

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John D

10:18 pm on Monday, June 3, 2013

you hit the nail on the head. quite sad really. BFD is the ultimate old boys club.   more ›

Three Displaced by Morning Fire on Mass Ave

A small fire caused an estimated $100,000 of damage throughout a three-apartment building on Mass. Ave, according to the Boston Fire Department.

Three South End residents are displaced after a small fire broke out in a 2nd floor apartment on Massachusetts Ave. in the South End on Wednesday morning, according to the Boston Fire Department. The fire started around 9:40 a.m. inside a unit at 528 Massachusetts Ave. Spokesperson Stephen McDonald said no one was home at the time, and no one was injured. Damage to the apartment was estimated at $100,000 due to the fire, smoke, and extensive water damage on the 2nd floor where the fire started, down to the first floor and basement.  The American Red Cross said this afternoon they assisted three people from two units that were displaced by the fire.  "Volunteers provided them emergency temporary shelter, a hotel stay, and funds for food and…

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Boston First Responders Fund Established to Help Marathon Victims

Donations can be made online or checks can be mailed to the fund organized by Boston's Fire, Police, EMS organizations.

  The Boston First Responders Fund has been established by our city's first responders to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon attacks.  "(The Boston Marathon) was a sad day for the city of Boston, our state and our nation,” said Edward Kelly, president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, via press release. “(Patriots' Day) we cared for the victims and today we want to take care of them moving forward. To the families of the victims of (Monday's) tragedy, we can never bring your loved ones back or take away the injuries you sustained from this attack. This fund is one way to hopefully provide comfort in your time of need.”  Richie Paris, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, said 100 percent of donations will go …

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Boston Marathon 2013 Explosion: Social Media Reports

Reports and updates on the reported explosions on Boylston Street near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Reports and pictures from the reported explosions at the Boston Marathon today are coming in via Twitter and Facebook. Reload this article as Patch pulls together more reports from social media.

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Boston Ends 2012 With Lowest Number of Fire Deaths in Large Cities Across U.S.

Among big cities, the city of Boston has had only four deaths from fire since 2009, according to the Boston Fire Department.

For the second consecutive year, the city of Boston has reported the lowest number of deaths from fire out of the nation's large cities. The only fire-related death in Boston last year was in early 2012. An elderly man who lived in a high-rise apartment in Dorchester was killed in a three-alarm blaze that also sent three others and a firefighter to the hospital. Boston's only fire death in 2012 is low compared to Baltimore with 12, Philadelphia with 25, Milwaukee with eight, Phoenix with six, and Washington D.C. with seven. There have been four total fire deaths in the city since 2009. “The men and women of the Boston Fire Department do an outstanding job protecting and serving the people of the city each and every day," Commissioner …

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Short Circuit Responsible for Thursday Morning Worcester Square Fire

Damage to the 34 Worcester Street brownstone apartment building was estimated at $400,000.

An electrical short circuit is responsible for starting a fire that displaced several apartments worth of residents and caused $400,000 worth of damage in the South End early Thursday morning, according to the Boston Fire Department.  The Boston Fire Department responded to 34 Worcester Sq. at 4:30 a.m. for a two-alarm fire that started in the ceiling of a second floor apartment and quickly spread up to floors three, four and five.  No one was injured and no residents required the Red Cross for a place to stay, said Boston Fire Department Spokesperson Stephen MacDonald. A neighboring brownstone, 36 Worcester Sq. was also evacuated due to smoke inhalation concerns, MacDonald said.  Since outdoor temperatures at the time of the fire were in …

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Two-Alarm Fire in Worcester Square Apartment Building Thursday Morning

A fire displaced residents at 4:30 a.m. in eight degree weather.

A two-alarm fire started a five-story apartment building in the Worcester Square area of the South End on Thursday morning, according to the Boston Fire Department.  The Boston Fire Department received a call at 4:30 a.m. for a fire in a second floor apartment at 34 Worcester Sq. The fire quickly spread through the walls to the third, fourth and fifth floors.  No one was injured in the blaze, but the building was deemed inhabitable, displacing all its residents. An MBTA bus provided shelter for the residents in 8 degree weather, said the fire department.  Firefighters were able to put out the fire by 6 a.m. Damage to the building was estimated to be $400,000.  Fire investigators are still working on determining the cause of the fire. 

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Boston Fire Engines Being Donated to Haiti

Two fire engines no longer needed by the Boston Fire Department will help the city of Cap-Haitien in Haiti.

Two fire engines no longer needed by the Boston Fire Department will soon be fighting fires in Haiti.  The two fire engines are out-of-date compared to the rest of the BFD's fleet, but they will be able to help the city of Cap-Haitien in Haiti, while the country continues its recovery from the devastating 2010 earthquake. The ownership of the two engines was transferred to the Dorchester House Multi Service Center so they could transfer it to Haiti. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino supported the donation, as did the Boston City Council. 

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Fire on Roof of MBTA Bus Yard

Boston Firefighters responded to a large fire inside a building in the MBTA yard opposite 93, near Albany Street.

Boston firefighters put our a fire on the roof of an MBTA bus yard on Widett Circle midday Friday. According to MBTA spokesman Joshua Robin, the fire was put out quickly Initial reports said that a fire broke out and quickly spread into the roof through a vent at the MBTA's bus yard at 110 Widett Circle just after noon on Friday. Firefighters cut power to the building and gained access to the vent and worked on the roof to put out the fire, according to the BNN alert service. The fire was knocked down by 12:30 p.m., according to Twitter reports.  Robin said there would be liminal service disruptions while the area is cleared and cleaned. There was no immediate word on a cause for the fire.

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Boston Fire Department Promotes First Female Captain

21-year veteran Irene Foley received the honor earlier this week.