2nd Alarm Box 2-483 - 72-74 Kirkland St - December 22, 2024

At about midnight, on Sunday morning, December 22nd, 2024, 2 alarms were ordered, Box 2-483, for the fire in the large, 3 -story, brick and wood, multiple dwelling at 72-74 Kirkland St. Following the initial calls for a fire alarm activation, the Cambridge Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls for the fire in the building.

 

On arrival, the members of Ladder 1 and Rescue 1 (from the Hovey Av fire house) rescued a person from a 3rd floor window via aerial ladder. This person, who had been trapped by the rapidly extending fire, was safely rescued and transported to a medical facility for evaluation of non-life-threatening injury. An unconscious cat was also rescued by firefighters, and was given oxygen and successfully revived by Pro EMS medics.

The fire was quickly contained and extinguished by fire companies, but several people had been displaced from apartments. The cause & origin will be under investigation.

Approximately 45 firefighters from 6 engines, 4 ladders, 3 squads, and the Rescue fought the fire in winter weather conditions of 15 degree temperature with a 1 degree real feel.

Time of the initial alarm: 1159 p.m. on December 21st

On duty: Group 1

Our MetroFire mutual aid partners, Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, & Somerville fire companies covered in Cambridge and responded to unrelated alarms during the fire.

Thank you again to the staff of Cambridge Emergency Communications for efficiently managing communications and radio traffic and dispatching appropriate companies during this hectic time.