Boston Firefighters Headed to Fire Delayed by Tunnel Closure

June 27, 2023
The fire in the three-story building started in the basement, firefighters said.

The overnight closure of a tunnel made it difficult for Boston firefighters to respond to a building fire.

"...Companies saw smoke showing from behind the boarded-up window on the second floor, Turns out, the heaviest fire was in the basement. Investigation Unit is still in there trying to determine the cause of origin, but it appears to have started down below," Boston Deputy Fire Chief Steven Schaffer told WBZ.

He added that firefighters were unable to use the stairs due to low visibility as heavy smoke came from the back lower part of the building. They said obstacles in the basement made it hard to access.

No one was hurt. The first floor of the building houses a restaurant, which has been in the neighborhood for 30 years, and the rest of the building is vacant. 

The Ted Williams Tunnel closure is one of several tunnel closures planned in the city during the summer. Starting July 5, the Sumner Tunnel will close seven days a week for two months.

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