DORCHESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - Firefighters battled whipping winds as they worked to put out a large fire at a Roxbury apartment building on Monday.
Crews responding to a reported fire on Edgewood Street around 4:30 p.m. struck a third alarm when they found heavy smoke and flames showing through the roof, according to a series of posts on the department’s Twitter page.
Companies receiving calls for 48 Edgewood. Dorchester. Smoke showing & 3rd alarm struck shortly after arrival pic.twitter.com/bQtYYIriUr
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 1, 2021
Firefighters were ordered out of the building and continued to try and extinguish it from above using ladder trucks. After about a hour of work, the roof caved in.
According to Chief Meteorologist Jeremy Reiner, winds are gusting at about 40 miles per hour in and around metro Boston.
“The wind was a factor, it whipped up the fire obviously. When we got here quickly we had to pull companies out because of the heavy fire and the fire going through the roof,” Chief Jack Dempsey said.
A firefighter was hospitalized after being struck by falling bricks, according to fire officials. Those injuries are said to be minor.
3rd alarm companies working feverishly to contain fire at corners of Southwood & Edgewood Sts in Roxbury. The roof has caved in and all operations are outside only. pic.twitter.com/Vpt9kuDDmQ
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 1, 2021
The Dicksons were brought to tears as they watched their family home burn.
“We just have family and friends contacting us. We’re all gathered at the corner store trying to figure out what’s the next step,” Val Dickson said.
Her elderly mother was home at the time and sleeping in their second-floor apartment. She was able to make it out thanks to a neighbor who ran over to check on her.
“I can’t even fathom the thought of losing her right now at this time,” Dickson said.
Six families live inside the building and all were able to make it outside safely.
All members has been removed from the building. Companies are attacking the fire from a defensive position. pic.twitter.com/iAJoWTA3AP
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 1, 2021
Dickson said she is devastated by the loss of her home, but grateful for the neighbor who saved her mother’s life.
“I am thankful. I do not see him out here and I’m trying to look for him but I’m beyond thankful, beyond thankful,” she said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
No additional information has been released.
This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest update.
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