UPDATED: City of Cambridge to Host Fire Recovery Resource Center; Buildings Sustain Serious Damage

UPDATE 1:13 pm - According to the Cambridge Fire Department and the State Fire Marshall's Office "The investigative team has identified an area of origin on or near 35 Berkshire Street. There is no evidence that this fire was intentionally set. The focus is on an accidental cause. They are working on eliminating a number of potential heat sources, and are continuing to conduct interviews. The fire is being jointly investigated by members of the Cambridge Fire Department, Cambridge Police Department, State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)."

Download statement on fire investigation (PDF)

Three buildings are being torn down in Cambridge and at least one other will be partially razed for safety reasons. The December 3, 2016 fire in the Harrington/Wellington/East Cambridge neighborhoods caused significant damage to six buildings, and fire or water damage to at least five others.

As of 3 P.M., 48 displaced families, representing 104 individuals, have registered with the Red Cross of Massachusetts. There may be more families and individuals that have not yet registered and the City is strongly encouraging all displaced individuals to register with the Red Cross by calling 800-564-1234 or by coming to the City’s Fire Recovery Resource Center at City Hall.

The first step in receiving assistance from the City is to contact and register with the Red Cross of Massachusetts.

On Monday, December 5, from 8:30 am - 8 pm and Tuesday, December 6, 8:30 am - 5pm, the City is hosting a Fire Recovery Resource Center on the 2nd floor of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave. Impacted residents can meet with representatives from the City of Cambridge, American Red Cross, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of insurance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health, National Organizational Voluntary Active Disaster, and Riverside Community Care.

The public can donate to the Mayor’s Fire Relief Fund online at cambridgema.gov/firefund or by sending a check to:
Mayor’s Fire Relief Fund
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

While greatly appreciated, the City is urging people to hold off on donating food, clothing or material goods at this time. Should this change, an announcement will be made in the media and on the City’s website and social media outlets.

A number of street closures will remain in place in Cambridge. The following streets have no access for pedestrians or vehicles:

• Berkshire Street – from York Street to Plymouth – indefinite
• Plymouth Street – Cardinal Medeiros Ave to Berkshire Street – indefinite
• Vandine Street – Cardinal Medeiros to Berkshire Street
• York Street – Willow Street to Berkshire Street

Residents impacted by the fire can call the City’s dedicated phone line, 617-349-9484, with questions regarding the fire or recovery assistance.