Worcester,MA- Just before the end of their shift, firefighters from Group 4 were
called to 26 Newbury Street just after 4pm for a report of a building fire. As
companies from the South Division Station were responding they could spot the
location of the fire easily. Newbury Street is on the west side of the city. The
houses in that neighborhood are very cramped together with numerous vacants
around.

Police officers reported heavy fire showing from the 2 ½ story wood frame
vacant. The building’s first floor was all boarded up and forcible entry was
needed to gain access to the first floor. Crews from Ladders 3 and 7 made access
to the roof to start the ventilation process.

A second alarm was struck quickly in an effort to bring additional resources to
the scene to help extinguish the blaze. The fire quickly consumed the rear
porches and started to attack the attic area. Firefighters made an aggressive
stop on the fire preventing it from spreading to adjoining structures.

The fire is under investigation by the Worcester Police and Fire Arson Squads.