Crews spent the night chasing a three-alarm fire through the ductwork of the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside late Tuesday, shutting down the interior common areas while firefighters worked overhead and inside the walls. Companies were called to reports of flames on the roof around 11 p.m., officials said the fire was under control by about 2 a.m., and personnel cleared the scene close to 3 a.m. No injuries were reported.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire pouring from ductwork on the roof near the Target store and thick smoke hanging throughout the building, according to Boston 25 News. Because the flames were racing through concealed ducts rather than open rooms, crews had to follow the fire along ventilation shafts instead of knocking down a single, visible seat of the blaze.
Local responders said the fire extended through ductwork from the food court in the basement all the way up to the roof, prompting a third-alarm response so extra crews could haul in tools, open up interior walls, and hunt for hot spots, per Western Mass News. Firefighters stayed on scene through the early morning to be sure any hidden embers were fully out before pulling back.
Investigators ruled the blaze accidental and linked it to workers cutting ductwork as part of cleaning and upgrade work on the system, and mall officials said interior common areas and the food court would remain closed for now while stores with their own exterior entrances stayed open, according to WAMC. As of Wednesday morning, mall management had not released a full statement beyond brief updates on social channels.
State hot-work rules could shape the probe
Cutting, welding, and similar spark-producing jobs usually fall under "hot work" rules in Massachusetts, which call for written permits and a designated fire watch. The state fire-code amendments spell out permit procedures and a minimum fire-watch period; see 527 CMR for the hot-work requirements, along with federal guidance from OSHA and industry standards such as NFPA 51B that investigators are likely to review.
What officials and shoppers can expect
City and state investigators typically look for hot-work permits, contractor checklists, and training records as they reconstruct the moments before a fire, although officials had not said on Wednesday whether those documents were available for this incident. For now, retailers with exterior entries were operating and emergency officials said the property would remain under review, as Boston 25 News reported.
Local impact
Holyoke Mall at Ingleside is one of western Massachusetts' largest shopping centers, drawing customers from across the region. Damage to interior areas and the temporary shutdown of common corridors could ripple through dozens of smaller retailers and food court vendors, per Wikipedia. Officials said repairs and inspections will determine how long the main interior stays closed, and shoppers are being urged to watch the mall's official channels and local media for reopening details.
