Home > News > Three Alarms were ordered for the late afternoon fire on Gore St on Thursday, Nov 9, 2023

Three Alarms on Gore Street

November 13, 2023 • 5 months ago

Three alarms, Box 3-12, were ordered for the fire in the 3 story, wood-frame, duplex, occupied residential building on Gore St in the very congested East Cambridge district. With heavy fire showing, the fire was initially reported via dept radio by CFD EMS Captain Jeremy Walsh. After ordering the full box to be transmitted, Capt Walsh searched the building to ensure that all residents had escaped, updated the size-up, took command until relieved by the division chief, and assisted the initial companies with the fire attack.

The first two photos by Capt Walsh below show the heavy fire conditions in the rear of the building on arrival & 1st-due Engine 3 stretching the 1st 2 1/2" line to contain & attack the fire.

Fire companies quickly & simultaneously established water supplies, opened up, protected exposures, contained & attacked the fire, & completed searches for residents. In spite of the initial heavy fire conditions, the 9 engine companies, 5 ladder companies, 3 squads, the Rescue company, & command & support units worked as a team to quickly knock down the fire.

Fortunately there were no reported injuries to residents, however 16 people had been displaced. There was at least 1 non-life-threatening injury to a firefighter. Approximately 80 firefighters worked at the fire.

The cause is under investigation.
Time of the initial alarm: 335 p.m.

IC: A/DFC K Albert

Thank you to all the agencies that assisted, including the officers of Cambridge Police Department, the EMTs & Medics of Pro EMS, the troopers of Massachusetts State Police, & Cambridge Inspectional Services.

Thank you to all the MetroFire mutual aid communities for covering & responding to numerous, unrelated incidents during the fire. Thank you to Somerville Fire for assisting at the fire.

Special thanks to the staff of Emergency Communications for their professionalism under pressure, handling the fire communications as well as numerous other ongoing incidents across the city during the fire on a hectic late Thursday afternoon.

Box 3-12 - 9 Nov 2023 1