Mass. firefighters battle 9-alarm blaze at abandoned mill

Firefighters from several departments faced limited access and water supply, as well as collapses on the fireground in Chelsea

November 19, 2024 07:23 AM

By Rick Sobey
Boston Herald

CHELSEA, Mass. — Firefighters battled a raging 9-alarm blaze in Chelsea early Monday morning, as a string of old mill buildings erupted in flames.

The Chelsea Fire Department and firefighters from across the region responded to Forbes Industrial Park at around 12:45 a.m., for a 2-alarm fire.

“The fire quickly rose in intensity to 9 Alarms,” the Revere Fire Department posted. “The fire was in a series of old 3 to 5 story Mill Buildings, which have been vacant for many years.

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“Our crews operated an aerial master stream as well as multiple handlines and BlitzFire nozzles from across the Commuter Rail tracks,” the fire department added. “Reduced access and water supply as well as multiple collapses hampered the members in fighting the fire. We always stand ready to help our neighbors!”

The 9-alarm blaze led to a huge response from across the area, including from Cambridge, Woburn, Lynn and many other communities.

“The view from Cambridge Ladder 2’s bucket: As the sun rises over the city, elevated master streams are still operating at the Chelsea 9-alarm fire,” Cambridge Fire posted.

The view from Cambridge Ladder 2's bucket: As the sun rises over the city, elevated master streams are still operating at the Chelsea 9-alarm fire. pic.twitter.com/l0fpGbHhTS
— Cambridge Fire Dept. (@CambridgeMAFire) November 18, 2024

The massive fire caused delays and cancellations on the MBTA Commuter Rail which deployed shuttles to move riders past the area while the tracks adjacent to blaze were shut down.

“Newburyport/Rockport Line Update: Passengers continue to experience significant delays in both directions due to fire department activity,” the Commuter Rail posted. “Shuttle busses are operating between Chelsea & Lynn. Passengers will board a train for continued inbound/outbound service.”

Trains on the Newburyport Rockport line resumed normal operations beginning with the 4:30 Rockport train out of North Station , according to the T.

Video from the scene late Monday afternoon showed demolition crews knocking down sections of the hollowed out brick buildings.