Firefighters ordered evacuations in East Boston as they continued to battle a nine-alarm blaze Friday night.
“We have a long night ahead,” fire officials tweeted. Thanks to @ChelseaFire_MA for the assist at the 9 alarm fire. Thanks also to the many outside departments staffing our neighborhood firehouses throughout the City and answering the calls. Great longtime plan for incidents like this."
The fire at the New England Casket Company on 1141 Bennington St. was first reported around 3 p.m. By midnight, the blaze had been extinguished.
Fumes from the lacquer on the burning caskets are toxic and the Boston Fire Department has ordered an evacuation of the area.
“There was a sprinkler system, but the fire was above the sprinkler system,” Boston Fire Department Commissioner Joseph Finn told WCVB-TV, abc 5. “Our initial problems and why we are still here is the water supply, and this is because it just happens to be the end of the water supply for East Boston.”
Hundreds of firefighters have battled the blaze.
The MBTA’s Blue Line were shut down between Orient Heights and Wonderland. Shuttle buses replaced service in both directions, according to a MBTA alert.
New England Casket Company was founded nearly 80 years ago in the Maverick Square area of East Boston. It expanded and moved to Bennington Street after World War II.
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