Home > News > On Friday afternoon, January 23rd, Two Alarms were ordered for the Fire at 68 Francis Avenue

Two Alarms were ordered, Box 2-612, for the fire at 68 Francis Avenue

January 27, 2025 • 3 months ago

During the afternoon of January 23, 2025, two alarms were ordered for the fire in the large, 2 1/2 story, wood-frame residence at 68 Francis Av. Approximately 75 firefighters from 7 engines, 4 ladders, 3 squads, Rescue 1, and command and support units worked to contain and extinguish the fire which had taken possession of the attic. At one point during the fire attack, 2 piercing nozzles and a Bresnan distributor were utilized to apply water to difficult access and concealed spaces in the attic area. Numerous SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) air cylinders were expended and refilled via the CFD HazMat 1 and Revere Fire air supply.

To expedite the fire attack, Engine 5 from Inman Square had connected to 2 hydrants and was pumping five 2 1/2" attack lines.

Several non-life-threateneing injuries were reported. ProEms medics and EMTs treated several on scene.

The cause and origin will be under investigation.

Initial alarm: 116 p.m.

On duty: Group 4

IC: DFC White

Working at the fire were Engines 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, & Somerville Engine 1 (line box); Ladders 1, 2, 3, & 4; Squads 2, 3, & 4; HazMat 1, Rescue 1; and Revere Fire air supply unit. Engine 3 remained on scene as a fire detail company.

Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, & Somerville fire companies covered in Cambridge during the fire and responded to numerous simultaneous incidents including a structural collapse, vehicle crash with injury, hazmat, fire alarm activations, EMS calls and more.

Actually Belmont Engine 1 and Somerville Ladder 1 responded from the Taylor Square fire house to a building on Mount Auburn Street and handled the structural concrete slab collapse with entrapment and water and electrical hazard. Fortunately the entrapped person was extricated with minor injury.

Cambridge Police Department officers assisted with traffic diversion and pedestrian safety in the area.

Thank you as always to our EMS partners Pro EMS.

Thanks for the quick response by City of Cambridge Department of Public Works to spread sand on the icy areas to prevent slip and fall injuries.

Thank you to city ISD and special thanks to the staff of Cambridge Emergency Communications who again handled the fire communications as well as numerous other ongoing calls on an extremely busy day.

Box 2-612 - 23Jan2025 - 2