Braintree, Mass. Just before noon, a firefighter who was on a blasting detail at a condominium construction site reported there was an outside fire against the building.
The box was transmitted and 2 engines, 1 ladder, and a deputy chief were sent.
Moments later, the firefighter on detail reported the building was involved and a 2nd alarm was struck while in route.
Within minutes, of the Deputy arriving, he reported the building was already fully involved and immediately requested a 3rd alarm be struck for additional manpower and equipment.
Crews initially entered the building to look for a missing construction worker, and were quickly pulled out once the worker was found already out of the building.
There was also approximately a hundred pounds of dynamite in the ground nearby getting ready for blasting at the time of the fire.
In addition to the dynamite nearby, firefighters prevented the fire from extending to three other large buildings of similar size, that were close by.
Abington, Randolph, Quincy, and Weymouth FD responded to the scene for mutual aid. Boston, Avon and Holbrook FD provided station coverage for the town.
It was a fast moving fire due to the high winds that were present at the time of the fire. Within an hour, the entire building was burned to the ground.
During this building fire, there was another brush fire about a mile away. An Engine Company from Abington was dispatched to that location. The brush fire was knocked down in about 30 minutes.
The complex was nearly 80% complete, it was suppose to house 48 apartment units. All workers escaped unharmed. A few cars and construction equipment parked near the building were destroyed by the fire.
One Braintree and one Quincy Firefighters were sent to a nearby hospital due to heat exhaustion.
Braintree Engine Company 5 was on scene dousing water on the hot spots throughout the night. Rescue 2 was sent to the scene also to provide lighting.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
