BOSTON (WHDH) - Multiple crews were called in Monday night to battle a blaze at the Jacob Wirth building, one of the oldest restaurants in Boston.
The restaurant, on Stuart Street in the Chinatown district, dates back to the mid-1800s. It has been closed for several years and appeared to be under construction.
Fire officials estimated the extensive damage will cost upward of $3 million to repair. They said no one was injured.
Crews remained on scene throughout the night monitoring the building to make sure the fire remains extinguished.
“We’re heartbroken over the fire that occurred late last evening. We’ve been working diligently to restore this landmark building, first opened in 1868, to continue the great legacy of Jacob Wirth for future generations,” said Jamison LaGuardia on behalf of Jacob Wirth Realty trust.
“We are deeply thankful to the Boston Fire Department for its fast response, and beyond grateful no one was injured,” LaGuardia continued.
Deck guns, ladder pipes, and even a nearby parking deck were utilized to put out the four alarm fire from all sides.
“It was going up, it was like, 30 to 40 feet in the air,” said Miguel Rosado, who saw the fire. “I thought it was going to hit both sides of the building, left and right.”
No one was injured, despite the size and strength of the fire.
“At least it didn’t happen on the weekend,” Rosado said. “Thousands of people on the street, night clubs open – it would have just been 10 times worse.”
Boston Police advised that both sides of Stuart Street would be shut down between Washington and Tremont streets, impacting the morning commute and access to Tufts hospital.
“Yeah, I was scared,” another witness said. “I don’t want to be up in there and can’t get out of there.”
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Tuesday morning. Stuart Street was still closed.
In an update near 2:00 p.m., Boston police announced Stuart Street had reopened.
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