A three-alarm fire tore through a multifamily home in Malden, Massachusetts, yesterday, leaving dozens displaced and the community in shock. According to WCVB, the fire broke out in the afternoon at 204-206 Ferry Street, where heavy flames and thick smoke were seen billowing from the roof. The left side of the building sustained significant fire damage.
Initial reports suggested that someone might have been trapped inside, prompting firefighters to rush into the building. Malden Assistant Fire Chief Leonard Dunn told WCVB, "There was one injury to one of the occupants, a minor injury," and that individual was transported to Melrose Wakefield Hospital. Despite fears, all occupants were accounted for, with neighbors witnessing firefighters climbing onto the roof and forcing their way into the attic to quell the flames.
In the aftermath of the fire, residents grappled with the devastation. Long-time resident Dennis Sorrentini, who lived in the building for over a decade, lost his home and was uncertain about the fate of his cat. "Complete left side is gone," Sorrentini said in a statement obtained by WCVB, "I lived there for over 10 years, and I had a cat in there. So I don't know where the cat is right now. I think it's a sign. Start a new life, start a new apartment. I guess God is going to be on my side, that's all I ask." A glimmer of hope emerged when firefighters managed to rescue a cat from the rubble, a moment of joy amidst the chaos.
Firefighting efforts were hampered due to the extensive layout of the 5,134-square-foot home, which featured 10 bedrooms and dated back to 1890. "Very difficult fire to fight just because of the manpower needed to get those ceilings opened, walls opened to get some water in there but, we’re fortunate it was 3:30 in the afternoon and not 3:30 in the morning," Deputy Fire Chief Dunn explained in an interview with WHDH. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and while officials do not suspect foul play, the impact on the residents is undeniable.
The Red Cross was on the scene, assisting nearly a dozen people in finding temporary shelter. As the community starts the process of recovery and rebuilding, the exact number of those displaced and the extent of their losses are still being assessed. The surviving residents face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives, a task made slightly more bearable by the relief efforts and the support of neighbors and local organizations.
