A towering wall of flames tore through a two-story building beside a Millis Christmas tree farm on Monday evening, gutting the structure and sending smoke billowing across nearby roads. Fire crews stayed on scene for hours trying to knock the fire down while neighbors clustered at a safe distance to watch the emergency response. As of late Monday night, officials had not released any details about what sparked the blaze or whether anyone was hurt.
What we know so far
Firefighters launched a three-alarm response to the property at 25 Birch Street in Millis, with local crews working into the evening to get control of the flames. A neighbor told NewsCenter 5 that the family who owns the property had been there when the site previously burned, though officials have not confirmed that account, according to WCVB.
Video shows building next to tree lot
Cellphone clips and TV footage show the two-story building fully involved, fire punching through the roof while rows of young evergreens or saplings sit just steps from the structure. Millis fire officials had not yet shared information on a possible cause or confirmed whether anyone was injured as of Monday night, NBC Boston reported.
Which farm sits at that address
Public listings and the farm's own site list 25 Birch Street as home to Deer Field Tree Farm, a choose-and-cut operation that also sells pre-cut trees and seasonal goods. The website describes fields of saplings and a small retail area on the property, matching what is visible in the fire footage, per Deer Field Tree Farm.
State rules and safety
Massachusetts guidance allows limited, supervised burning or disposal of Christmas trees under local rules and permits, and the State Fire Marshal urges residents to keep live trees well watered and away from buildings to cut fire risk. Local departments are typically in charge of open-burning permits to head off hazardous situations, according to state guidance from Mass.gov.
What happens next
Millis officials and investigators had not announced a cause for the fire or a timeline for reopening the property as of Monday night, and multiple crews remained at the scene while damage assessments continued, according to NBC Boston. This story will be updated as authorities release additional information or a formal statement.
