FIRES

The fires listed on this page represent the large quantity of major fires that have occurred since the organization of the Fire Department in its present structure (1859), and which have had a significant impact on the City of Boston. The many fires listed here mostly involve multiple-alarm fires, or other major emergencies, as these are usually more spectacular, destroy the most property, attract more media attention, and have a larger impact on the citizens sense of well-being and safety.



Date Time Box Alarms Location Information More
2-18-1860 2020 D1-S1 4 42 Merchants Row, Downtown Manning & Glover Co., commercial building Story
7-4-1861 1318 D4-S3 5 131 Albany Street, Downtown Firecrackers caused loss of 20 buildings Paper
7-4-1861 1417 D7 5 Nickerson's Wharf, East Boston Firecrackers destroyed several wharves and many buildings Paper
2-24-1862 2147 D1-S4 4 North and Commercial Streets, North End Many buildings lost in the Matthews Block fire at Clark, North, & Fleet Sts. Paper
4-6-1864 2350 D4-S3 3 Tremont & Boylston Sts., Downtown Total loss of the Freemason's Building and Winthrop House. Paper
10-5-1867 0418 56 4 383 Federal Street, Downtown Fire gutted Jonas Fitch's planing mill building. Paper
7-25-1870 1521 157 5+ Border Street, near Decatur St., East Boston Fire in a planing mill spread to many properties. Paper
7-27-1870 0850 231 4 Harrison Ave & Hunneman Street. Fire in Webber's Ropewalk on Hunneman St. spread to 10 other buildings. Paper
11-9-1872 1924 52 5+ 83-85 Summer St. @ Kingston St., Downtown. "Great Boston Fire" originated in a 6-story granite building with mansard roof,
lost 776 buildings over 65 acres, $ millions lost. 30 deaths, including 12 FF's.
Story
5-30-1873 0826 53 4 Washington St., near Boylston, Downtown. "Memorial Day Fire" destroyed the Globe Theatre & 105 buildings. Paper
7-31-1873 1529 151 3 Wharf at the foot of Lewis Street, East Boston. Warehouse owned by the National Dock & Warehouse Co. was destroyed. Paper
12-14-1874 2255 68 6 Plympton, Wareham and Albany Sts., South End. South End fire affected 29 woodworking firms in 9 buildings. Paper
5-26-1875 1830 53 2 525 Washington St.@ LaGrange St., Downtown. Explosion caused a 5-story brick building to be leveled, many deaths. Paper
Photo
1-31-1878 1931 424 4 121 Medford St., Charlestown. Large furniture factory destroyed during a north-east gale. Paper
8-14-1879 2255 36 . 80-86 Tremont Street, Downtown 'Tremont Temple Fire' gutted the third temple (church) built on the site. Paper
12-28-1879 2258 45 Gen 91-93 Federal St., Downtown "Rice-Kendall Fire" destroyed many buildings. Paper
6-17-1882 0514 236 3 60 Hampshire Street, Roxbury Cotton Waste Factory Fire in Roxbury, with collapse injuring firemen. Paper
1-12-1886 1100 15 3 61-81 Clinton St., Downtown Temps. -15 degrees caused ruins to smolder in a large quantity of flour. Paper
4-9-1889 1722 6 3 Lowell & Minot Sts., West End Boston & Maine Railroad large freight warehouse. Paper
11-28-1889 0813 52 Gen 69-87 Bedford St., Downtown "Thanksgiving Day Fire" 4 firemen killed in a collapse with $3.9M damage. Paper
Story
1-22-1890 2345 69 3 65-101 Bristol Street, South End Fire destroyed a large woodworking mill building. Paper
12-24-1890 1933
2032
69
68
3
3
Albany & Bristol Sts., South End
Wareham St. near Albany St., South End
Fire destroyed a large block-long planing mill building.
Fire destroyed the New England Piano & Organ Co. building.
Paper
11-1-1891 2034 68 4 615-621 Albany Street, South End. The 5-story brick 'Cummings Building' destroyed by fire. Paper
1-10-1893 0822 48 3 207-219 Federal Street, Downtown "Hecht Building Fire" hindered by overhead wires. Paper
3-10-1893 1624 52 4+ 63 Lincoln Street, Downtown "Lincoln Street Fire" caused $2.9 million damage. Paper
1-2-1894 0100 -- Gen 362 Washington Street, Downtown Globe Theatre Fire (second time Globe Theatre destroyed by fire.) Paper
5-15-1894 1622 215 Gen Walpole Street Ballgrounds, Roxbury "Roxbury Conflagration" destroyed/damaged 206 buildings. Paper
9-7-1895 1030 53 3 Tremont & Boylston Sts., Downtown Masonic Building was damaged, valuable contents were destroyed. Paper
2-3-1896 0650 915 3 Winter, Church & Parish Sts., Dorchester The First Parish Church, atop Meeting House Hill, is destroyed. Paper
(Link)
2-17-1896 1000 56 4 290 South St., Downtown Old Colony Railroad terminal, baggage rooms and offices destroyed. Paper
3-12-1896 1536 96 5 221 Columbus Ave., Back Bay "Pope Bicycle Co." fire destroyed 5-story commercial building. Paper
4-2-1897 2132 632 4 98-111 Border St., East Boston Fire in a long 4-story brick building of the S.T. Manson woodworking mills. Paper
2-5-1898 0359 412 3 Bent Bedding Co., 116 Merrimac St., Downtown "Merrimac Street Fire" and collapse kills 6 firefighters. Story
4-17-1898 0330 421 4 Water St., Charlestown Fire destroyed the grain elevator at the Hoosac Tunnel Docks. Paper
7-2-1898 2113 148 3 308 Congress St., South Boston Fire destroyed the Atlas Stores wool warehouse. Paper
6-15-1899 1645 638 3 256 Border St., East Boston Fire destroyed 4 small wood buildings, damaged 9 other tenement buildings. Paper
6-25-1899 2143 51 4 148-152 Purchase St. 146-154 Pearl St., D'ntown Fire destroyed a 6-story brick building housing bookbinding businesses. Paper
8-11-1899 0052 - 3 710 Centre St., Jamaica Plain The tenement house, bakeshop, stable at the J.W. Goodnow Block. Paper
12-10-1899 0819 116 4 350-388 Albany St., South End The Leatherbee and Blacker & Shepard lumber yards were destroyed. Paper
3-11-1900 0420 15 3 209 North St., North End Wall collapses at a North End tenement fire, kills 1 fireman, injures 3 more. Paper
7-6-1900 2103 231 5 1023 Harrison Ave., Roxbury Lumber yard fire threatened wood tenement buildings in the area. Paper
Map
3-15-1901 2122 36 3 248 Washington St./69 Devonshire St., Downtown Fire heavily damaged the Boston Advertiser & Record newspaper building. Paper
4-14-1901 0255 511 4 Green & Amory Sts., Jamaica Plain Fire destroyed the 4-story brick B.F. Sturtevant blower works. Paper
11-12-1901 0130 37 4 Broad, Franklin & Batterymarch Sts., Downtown Fire destroyed a large 7-story commercial building filled with flamables. Paper
1-18-1902 1850 45 4 5-7 Federal Court, Downtown Fire in a 4-story commercial building included a daring escape by occupants. Paper
1-29-1902 0110 10 1 12 Fleet Street, North End Fire in a 4-story brick tenement building caused 9 deaths. Paper
7-12-1902 1300 224 3 St. James & Washington Sts., Roxbury Fire destroyed St. James Episcopal Church in Roxbury. Paper
12-14-1902 2108 48 4 210-216 Summer Street, Downtown Stubborn fire in the 4-story "Estes Block", firemen narrowly escaping. Paper
1-9-1903 1100 54 3 15 Federal Street, Downtown Fire at the Equitable Annex building, many saved by elevator operators. Paper
1-27-1903 2114 46 5 215 Franklin Street, Downtown Fire at the Bigelow, Douse & Co. building. Paper
6-11-1903 . 113 3 West First & B Streets, South Boston Third fire in 8 months destroyed the Brooklyn Cooperage factory. Paper
7-11-1903 1835 116 3 470 - 484 Albany St., South End. Fire destroyed many buildings in the lumber district. Paper
7-5-1904 1713 429 4 Terminal St., Charlestown B&M RR Grain Elevator and Mystic Docks destroyed by lightning/fire. Paper
7-30-1904 1200 85 4 Berkeley & Chandler Sts., South End Fire destroyed the New Haven Railroad 8-story abandoned Grain Elevator. Paper
9-24-1904 1230 127 3 E Street & Baxter St., South Boston Fire destroyed the St. Augustine's Parochial School building. Paper
2-21-1905 0123 443 5 Hoosac Piers 3 and 4, Charlestown Large fire on the Hoosac Piers 3 and 4, Charlestown. Paper
5-30-1905 0950 31 3 Brimmer, Chestnut & Byron Sts., Beacon Hill. Beacon Garage fire burnt over 40 cars including Chief Cheswell's own car. Paper
1-9-1906 0910 162 4 Wormwood Street, South Boston Fire heavily damaged a 6-story cotton and wool warehouse. Paper
2-6-1907 2100 4116 5 Front & Jenner Sts., City Square, Charlestown. Many rescues made, many injured at six-story Waverly Hotel Fire. Paper
4-7-1907 - 50 3 131-133 Kingston St., Downtown. Boiler room fire in a 6-story building extended to the roof. Paper
4-14-1907 2300 315 2 500-506 Dudley Street, Roxbury 16 Firemen injured in a gas explosion at 3-story Salvation Army building. Paper
7-10-1907 1300 11 2 134 Friend Street, Downtown A stubborn fire gutted the 6-story A.W. Hastings building at 134 Friend St. Paper
7-13-1907 1337 148 4 Congress and A Streets, South Boston Fire in a commercial building at 347-351 Congress St. Paper
12-10-1907 1905 57 4 95-101 Albany Street, Downtown Fire in the York Building, a 5-story business block caused great destruction. Paper
1-16-1908 2325 634 4 178-180 Border Street, East Boston Fire at the Suffolk Coal Company destroyed the entire plant. Paper
5-1-1908 1611 619 5 Pier at Marginal and Clyde Sts., East Boston Cunard Company wharf fire caused $1.3 million damage. Paper
9-6-1908 0130 91 4 171 Huntington Ave., Back Bay Over 120 automobiles destroyed at Taylor-Palmer Garage. Paper
10-27-1908 1540 38 3 66-68 Long Wharf, Downtown Fire destroyed a Custom House Block warehouse building on the waterfront. Paper
1-17-1909 0546 96 4 Park Square, Back Bay Fire at Providence Depot of New Haven Railroad. Paper
6-27-1909 - 592 2 51-61 Hyde Park Ave., Forest Hills (Roslindale) Fire heavily damaged the Forest Hills Hotel, driving out 400 guests. Paper
2-9-1910 0200 812 4 Stockyards off Malvern St., Allston. Brighton Abattoir destroyed, hundreds of cattle lost, many stampeded. Paper
3-12-1910 1350 711 4 139 Albany St., South End General Repair Shops of the Boston Elevated Co. was destroyed. Paper
8-9-1910 1817 58 6 406-408 Albany St., near Dover St., South End "Blacker & Shepard Fire" lost 20 buildings, nearly lost Fire Headquarters. Paper
8-18-1910 0255 44 4 175-189 Congress St., Downtown 5-story building lost despite using saltwater high pressure hydrant system. Paper
2-12-1911 0320 47 4 221 High St., corner of Purchase St., Downtown. Fire in a 6-story multiple usage manufactory building caused heavy damage. Paper
4-25-1911 2122 11 3 Hanover & Friend Sts, Haymarket Sq, Downtown Fire in a 5-story brick building with a very dense smoke condition. Paper
9-13-1911 1525 116 4 2-30 Dorchester Av., nr. Broadway, So. Boston Fire at the Warren & Batchelder coal plants destroyed 50,000 tons of coal. Paper
Photo
12-24-1911 0745 118 4 660 Summer Street, South Boston Boston Molasses Company fire. Paper
3-11-1912 2050 71 3 Clarendon & Montgomery Sts., South End. Fire destroyed the brick Clarendon Street Baptist Church. Paper
2-20-1913 1850 703 5 239 Causeway St., North End Braman, Dow & Co. fire, Causeway Street, North End. Paper
5-10-1913 1353 433 3 Mystic Wharf, Charlestown Large fire at the Export Lumber Company on Mystic Wharf Paper
7-4-1913 1737 925 3 Leroy Street, Dorchester 4th of July firecrackers started a fire, destroying 31 buildings. Paper
7-18-1913 1352 47 2 Steamship "City of Bangor" at Foster's Wharf Fire caused $75,000 damage to often-troubled steamship. Paper
12-3-1913 0204 771 3 1202 Washington St., South End Arcadia Hotel fire, 28 die in a rooming house fire. Paper
1-4-1914 1135 41 3 161 Devonshire St., Downtown Fire in a downtown 11-story early 'skyscraper' with a dramatic rescue. Paper
1-14-1914 0001 218 4 2175 Washington St., Roxbury Bacon Co. fire destroyed the 3 story brick building, 1 firefighter dies. Paper
Photo
4-12-1914 0157 820 4 1315 Commonwealth Av., Brighton Fire in an apartment building kills 8 occupants. Paper
3-3-1915 0105 1431 5 4-12 High Street, Downtown "Rice Building Fire", destroyed a 5-story commercial and office building. Paper
3-18-1915 . 1412 4 641-643 Atlantic Ave., Downtown "Hecht Building Fire", another major fire in the Hecht Building. Paper
4-24-1915 1224 136 5 14-20 L Street, South Boston "Suspender Factory Fire" at Natural Leather Finishing Co. Paper
Photos
10-30-1915 0910 - 4 101-103 Chestnut St., Beacon Hill 6-story Chauncey Thomas & Co. carriage-maker building, 60 autos lost. Paper
1-29-1916 2345 - 4 36-40 Columbus Avenue, Park Sq., Downtown A 6-story mixed-occupany merchantile building heavily damaged. Paper
9-12-1916 - - 3 97-99 K Street, South Boston Fire destroyed a two-story building of the International Waste Company. Paper
Photo
1-29-1917 0154 1463 5 77-111 Chauncy St., Downtown "Kelley Blanket Fire" caused 1/2 million dollar damage. Paper
Photo
2-10-1917 0459 1573 4 50 Exeter St., Back Bay Hotel Lenox fire, very cold weather, many rescued via ladders. Paper
Photo
2-21-1917 1857 1622 4 Washington and Mott Sts., South End Fire destroys the Columbia Theatre belonging to Loews Enterprise Co. Paper
6-4-1917 1100 - 5 Rear 500 East First St., South Boston Fire in 3-story wood bldg. of T.C. Ashley & Co. affected many other bldgs. Paper
12-23-1917 0415 - 5 381-389 Congress St., at B Street, South Boston Fire gutted top floors of 5-story brick bldg., Boston Scale & Machine Co. Paper
2-26-1918 1400 . 3 23-25 Front St., Charlestown Fire destroyed the 3-story 150x50 building housing the Boston Ice Co. Paper
12-18-1918 0441 1566 4 238 St. Botolph St., Back Bay Fire destroyed Boston Arena, built in 1909 for hockey and basketball sports. Paper
Photo
1-12-1919 1223 723 4 27-41 Damrell St., South Boston Fire swept through a munitions plant destroying two buildings. Paper
1-18-1920 0953 1314 3 off Beverly St., near North Station, Downtown Fire gutted the YMCA & railroad freight buildings during a snowstorm. Paper
Photo
6-3-1920 0515 1421 4 595 Atlantic Av. / 238 Purchase St., Downtown. Large fire at Foss & Co. wool warehouse buildings. Paper
1-1-1921 1842 1492 4 87-93 Albany St., at Harvard St., Downtown. Fire destroyed a 5-story brick business block. Paper
1-16-1921 2100 5127 3 Washington St., near Dighton St., Brighton. Fire destroyed the Brighton Congregational Church, built in 1868. Paper
2-21-1921 0515 - 3 483 Neponset Ave., Dorchester Fire at the large wood Boston Elevated Railway car barn and 40 trolley cars. Paper
3-4-1921 0355 - 5 35 Amory Street, Roxbury Fire at the large wood Boston Elevated Railway car barn and 43 trolley cars. Paper
Photo
5-5-1921 1005 621 4 257 Maverick Street, East Boston. Fire gutted the George Hobbs Box Co., largest wood box maker in USA. Paper
Photo
3-25-1922 2115 1645 4 81 Wareham St., South End Heavy fire damage to Dickerman Box Factory, in the 5-story Badger Bldg. Paper
6-4-1922 1500 1336 3 Pitts & South Margin Sts., West End. Fire at the Cosmopolitan Stables, 11 injured, 140 horses saved. Paper
8-8-1922 1600 1282 1 24 Federal St./123 Congress St., Downtown. Harris, Forbes & Co. basement vault fire, many firemen overcome by smoke. Paper
4-14-1923 1545 1257 4 185-187 State St., Downtown Fire heavily damages the building housing the Kelley Peanut Co. Paper
Photo
7-17-1923 1806 7112 4 374 Congress St., South Boston Fire destroys Thomas Kelly & Co., building. Photo
9-15-1923 1710 651 5 319-327 Chelsea St., Day Square, East Boston Fire started with matches gutted Miller's Barn, sheds and a warehouse. .
1-13-1925 0315 . 4 261 Roxbury St., Roxbury Early morning fire gutted the 1874 Myles Standish School building.  
1-13-1925 1918 1443 3 30-38 Summer St., Downtown Large fire in the Kennedy Clothing establishment.  
4-19-1925 0705 437 4 503 Medford St., Charlestown Fire destroyed seven factory and warehouse bldgs. of the S.M. Howes Co. Photos
7-23-1926 0603 629 4 80 Border St., East Boston Fire at the Atlantic Works nautical supplies company.  
4-15-1928 0300 1546 5 Dartmouth and Buckingham Sts., Back Bay Fire destroyed Back Bay Station of the New Haven Railroad. Photos
6-28-1930 1300 . 3 Railroad yards off Austin St., Charlestown A stubborn fire gutted Warehouse No. 21 in Yard 14 of the B&M Railroad.  
7-4-1930 1918 4147 5 141-153 Medford St., Charlestown Fire set by children burned 5 buildings & lumber yard of Palmer Parker Co.  
1-4-1932 0426 1525 5 507-515 Tremont St., South End Fire destroyed the landmark Odd Fellows Hall building. Photos
3-31-1933 1400 3452 3 Savin Hill Bath Hse., off Playstead Rd., Dorch. Fire destroyed the Savin Hill Bath House. Photos
11-7-1933 0918 1257 4 Central Wharf, off Atlantic Ave., Downtown Fire at the Eastern Steamship Company on Central Wharf.  
1-5-1934 1311 2344 5 Lansdowne Street, Back Bay Fire at Fenway Park destroyed outfield sections.  
12-9-1934 0327 4139 4 33 Miller Street, Charlestown Bitter cold morning fire gutted a 4-story warehouse near the state prison. Photos
12-27-1934 2100 - 4 Seaverns Av. & Elm St., Jamaica Plain Fire destroyed the large wooden Central Congregational Church. Photos
9-24-1935 1345 4112 4 37-43, 37-58 Warren Avenue, Charlestown Several 2.5-story vacant commercial bldgs. adjacent to Warren Av. Bridge.  
4-8-1936 0635 5189 4 Lake Street, Brighton Fire at St. John's Seminary  
11-25-1936 1635 6153 3 15-25 Meridian St., East Boston Explosion in a hat-cleaning shop swept a block of tenement buildings Paper
11-27-1936 2256 4112 5 Charles River Ave., Charlestown "Grist Mill Fire" destroyed Hoosac Dock buildings housing newsprint. Paper
12-8-1936 0730 7131 5 261-287 A Street, South Boston Fire destroyed the Boston Plate Glass and Window Co. factory. Paper
1-6-1937
1-6-1937
2045
2100
1345
1292
3
4
Spring & Milton Sts., West End
501-529 Atlantic Ave. & Pearl St., Downtown
Fire in brick commerical and residential tenement building, congested area.
Fire in a large five-story brick office and storehouse building.
Paper
2-13-1937 2100 7115 4 300 Congress St., South Boston Warehouse fire at the Grasselli Chemical Co. on Fort Point Channel. Paper
3-10-1937 1025 4191 5 Mystic Docks, Charlestown Fire in the vessel 'Laila' at Pier 45, ship loaded with nitrate.  
3-23-1937 1304 6113 4 Simpson Drydock, 275 Marginal St., East Boston. Sparks caused a fire damaging cargo ships "San Gil" and "San Bruno". Paper
4-5-1937 1608 3115 3 875 Massachusetts Ave., Roxbury Thousands of tires burned with smoke affecting nearby Boston City Hospital. Paper
11-25-1939 1540 4137 5 294 Rutherford Ave., Charlestown New England Pipe & Supply Company.  
4-15-1941 1618 715 5 171-192 West First St., South Boston General Wool Company fire.  
9-18-1941 1759 4156 5+ 391 Rutherford Ave., Charlestown "Rutherford Ave. Conflagration" destroyed many RR sheds.  
4-19-1942 . 1286 4 . .  
11-15-1942 0228 6153 5 12-16 Maverick Square, East Boston "Luongo's Restaurant Fire", Maverick Sq., with a collapse killing 6 FF's. Photos
Fire Report
11-28-1942 2220 1521 5 15-17 Piedmont St., Downtown "Cocoanut Grove Fire" killed 492 and injured 166 others. Story
12-15-1942 2310 1461 5 501-507 Washington St., Downtown "Sallinger's Fire" damaged a large commercial building.  
1-16-1943 1655 4148 5 81-105 Medford St., Charlestown Another fire in the Palmer Parker Company.  
4-23-1944 1650 3468 5 488 Neponset Ave., Dorchester Fire at the Frost Coal & Oil Co. at the Neponset River in Dorchester. Photo
6-12-1944 2155 2335 5 18 Simmons St., Roxbury "Chair Factory Fire" at the Newtowne Manufacturing Co.  
1-15-1948 1259 7115 5 23-27 Sleeper St., South Boston "Sleeper Street Fire" at the Armour Leather Company on a very cold day. Photos
3-9-1950 0257 1421 5 183-195 Congress St., Downtown Large fire in commercial buildings at 181-195 Congress St.  
6-10-1952 . 1294 4 India Wharf, off Atlantic Av., Downtown Large destroyed the buildings on India Wharf. Photo
11-2-1952 1243 1242 5 Union Wharf, off Commercial St., North End Large fire gutted the Union Wharf buildings, off Commercial St., North End. Story
6-2-1953 2130 4191 5 Mystic Docks, Charlestown Large fire at Pier 48, Mystic Docks.  
10-16-1953 1516 7545 2 South Boston Naval Annex Explosion and Fire in the 'USS Leyte' killed 37 and injured 40.  
10-22-1953 0329 72 4 Dover Street Bridge, South Boston Fire destroyed the Bridge between the South End and South Boston.  
2-1-1954 0120 1321 5 19-25 Sudbury St., Downtown Fire at the Tulman Furniture Company.  
9-19-1954 0707 - 4 Tremont & Berkeley Sts., South End. Fire gutted a 5-story brick bldg. housing the Zara Club and other businesses.  
3-3-1955 0329 1257 5 India Wharf, off Atlantic Ave., Downtown Large fire at 1-9 India Wharf.  
3-14-1955 1620 1491 4 740 Washington St., Downtown Fire at the Gerry Furniture Company building.  
4-14-1955 6151 1759 5 25 Lewis Street, East Boston Warehouse fire at the National Docks, East Boston  
7-1-1955 0741 1547 3+ 43 Stanhope Street, Back Bay "Red Coach Grill Fire" on a very humid day. Photo
11-8-1956 1304 6213 5 652 Saratoga St., East Boston 8 buildings lost at Saratoga, Curtis and Chaucher Sts.  
1-12-1957 1223 4141 5 10 Green St., Charlestown Fire destroyed the First Congregational Church. Photo  
7-26-1957 1858 4191 5 Mystic Wharf, Charlestown Large fire at the Boston & Maine RR coal docks.  
7-6-1958 2334 7113 5 Pier 2, Northern Avenue, South Boston Merchants & Miners Piers destroyed a large U-shaped terminal building.  
2-26-1959 0915 3396 4 55 Nightingale St., Dorchester 9 frame mult-unit dwellings destroyed.  
2-28-1959 2339 2122 5 2140 Washington St., Roxbury Fire in multiple 4 and 5 story buildings.  
8-1-1959 2059 7112 5 400 Congress St., South Boston Fire at New Haven RR Freight House #6 + RR cars.  
6-12-1960 1307 3353 4 562 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester Fire in several woodframe and brick buildings.  
6-20-1961 1205 1324 3 32 Howard St., Downtown Fire gutted landmark "Old Howard" burlesque theatre, in Scollay Square. Story
Link
11-30-1961 1301 735 4 Castle Island, South Boston Fire at Pier 17 at Castle Island Terminal Wharf.  
3-7-1962 0539 1246 5 Commercial Wharf, North End Fire in buildings and wharf structure.  
5-10-1962 1601 4132 5 Front St., Charlestown Fire destroyed potato sheds and freight cars.  
9-23-1962 1747 5246 5 293 Lincoln St., Brighton Vacant house and warehouse fire (first 5 alarm in Brighton).  
1-24-1963 2346 319 4 1496-1500 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester Fire destroyed the 3-story brick Globe Furniture Co. in a snowstorm.  
3-29-1963 0400 2321 5 146 Masssachusetts Ave., Back Bay "Sherry-Biltmore Hotel" fire with many ladder rescues.  
10-12-1963 1137 1611 5 27 Corning Street, South End "Morgan Memorial" fire nearly became a conflagration. Photo
5-22-1964 1339 7251 5+ Bellflower St., Dorchester "Bellflower Street Conflagration" destroys 19 buildings. Story
10-1-1964 0032 1671 5 34 Trumbull St., South End Fire in a vacant factory caused a wall collapse, killing 5 Firefighters. B. F. Digest
Newspapers
4-10-1965 . 7273 5 117 Atkinson St., Roxbury .  
6-23-1965 1711 5221 5 80 Western Ave., Brighton Fire at a RR freight and truck terminal.  
12-9-1965 1818 1614 5 1217 Washington St., South End Boston Leather Co., vacant 4-story brick, + other bldgs., with collapse.  
1-28-1966 1841 1471 5 15-19 Boylston St., Downtown Explosion and fire at the Paramount Hotel killed 10.  
7-1-1966 1337 4187 5 36 Roland St., Charlestown Paper warehouse fire with $1.5 million damage.  
2-18-1967 0711 1441 5 141 Tremont St., Downtown Crawford-Hollidge Department store fire Story
6-19-1967 1643 3254 4 78-98 Taylor St., Dorchester Fire at the O.G. Kelley and A.T. Stearns Co's., destroyed 5 wood bldgs.  
2-4-1968 0349 1632 5 1147 Washington St., South End Roosevelt Hotel fire killed 9, many rescued.  
2-7-1968 0844 7222 5 Broadway, South Boston Blinstrub's Restaurant  
3-29-1968 0217 1539 5 288 Berkeley St., Back Bay "First Church in Boston" fire extended to adjacent buildings.  
4-6-1968 1959 6184 5 262-274 East Eagle St., East Boston A rapidly spreading fire destroyed several 3-deckers in East Boston.  
5-14-1968 2258 711 5 Summer St. Bridge over RR tracks, South Boston Freight yard fire damaged bridge and other RR buildings.  
8-5-1969 2223 3859 5 100 Meadow Rd., Readville Stop&Shop warehouse fire (first 5 alarm fire in Hyde Park)  
3-31-1971 0033 2341 5 50 Peterborough St., Back Bay Apartment house fire killed 8 residents, many rescued.  
4-20-1971 1349 1247 5 91-125 Clinton St., Downtown The Clinton Market warehouse destroyed by fire.  
11-22-1971 . 1436 5 . .  
12-29-1971 1214 1412 3+ 604-610 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Vacant 6-story brick commercial building fully involved. Story
6-17-1972 1434 1571 4 160 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay "Vendome Hotel Fire & Collapse" caused death of nine firefighters.  
1-11-1973 1937 711 5 332-340 Summer St., South Boston "Ralph Pill Electric" fire in an 8-story merchantile building. Story
11-10-1973 0439 1368 5 14 Hancock St., Beacon Hill Fire in an apartment building, many rescues made.  
4-1-1974 2152 6151 5 145 Sumner St., East Boston Fire destroyed a vacant warehouse.  >
4-17-1974 1853 3754 5 1344 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park Large fire at the vacant Allis-Chalmers manufacturing plant.  
7-16-1974 0451 1632 5 15 Groton St., South End The Williams School building was destroyed.  
10-9-1974 0211 7421 5 1400-1406 Columbia Rd., South Boston Landmark Dorgan's Restaurant was destroyed.  
5-24-1975 0017 6112 5 220-228 Everett St., East Boston Tenement buildings destroyed in a fast-moving fire.  
8-4-1975 0732 2791 3 35 Corinth St., Roslindale Basement fire at Corey's Market injured many FF's.  
11-28-1975 1651 2252 5 20 Dudley St., Roxbury Former Dudley School, used as School Dept. warehouse.  
1-22-1976 2010 7445 5 768-776 East 6th St., South Boston A row of brick buildings with high winds and extreme cold.  
2-1-1976 2128 2411 5+ 301-309 Centre St., Jamaica Plain "Plant Shoe Fire" caused the complete destruction of large mill building.  
7-20-1978 2125 1233 5 179-181 Salem Street, North End 5-story occupied tenement building fire. (Simultaneous 5-alarm fire)  
7-20-1978 2250 1585 5 492 Beacon Street, Back Bay Fire in a vacant church. (Simultaneous 5-alarm fire)  
6-17-1980 1817 5221 9 70 Western Ave., Brighton Fire in a large railroad shed, boxcars and trailers  
9-24-1980 0253 1841 8 1046 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester "St. William's Church Fire" destroyed a landmark stucco church.  
1-6-1981 1507 1539 8 16-17 Arlington St./0 Newbury St., Back Bay Fire in a 5 story brownstone office/commercial building caused 2 FF's deaths.  
1-7-1981 0826 2331 9 307-311 Huntington Ave., Back Bay Fire in a 5 story brick office/commercial building.  
1-7-1981 1822 5352 9 1874-1880 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton Fire in a large 4 story brick apartment building.  
2-27-1982 2105 1471 9 597 Washington St., Downtown "Avery Hotel Fire" destroyed a former hotel turned rooming house.  
6-3-1982 0321 7161 9 410 E Street, South Boston "Louis Spero Toy Co. Fire" arsonists destroyed 3 large commercial buildings.  
6-11-1982 0012
0105
0302
0307
254 
3328
1848
2428
9
6
3
5
165 Brookside Ave., Jamaica Plain
386 Washington St., Dorchester
97-99 Sydney St., Dorchester
456 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
4 major arson fires in the city within three hours (9, 6, 3 & 5 alarms) |
Photos
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Photo
7-27-1983 0012 3165 8 296 Freeport St., Dorchester .  
1-19-1984 0337 1341 6 Rear of North Station, Nashua St., Downtown Pier fire on Charles River at the rear of North Station.  
1-24-1984 2018 3148 9 246 Adams St., Dorchester "St. Ambrose Church Fire" destroyed a landmark brick church.  
8-11-1984 1321 7131 9 23 Wormwood St., South Boston Boston Plate Glass Company fire destroyed a commercial building.  
7-4-1985 0017 4167 9 Sheafe Street, Charlestown "Sheafe Street Fire"  
1-2-1986 1713 1573 8 800 Boylston St., Back Bay "Prudential Tower" fire in a 52-story high-rise  
3-21-1986 0144 7413 9 Mercer St., South Boston "Mercer Street Fire" destroyed many homes, 1 FF death.  
6-26-1987 0113 3412 9 Lonsdale St., Dorchester Early A.M. plane crash on Lonsdale St., Dorchester destroyed many homes. Story
1-27-1989 1734 2251 9 80 Dudley St., Roxbury "Roxbury Boys Club Fire"  
4-6-1989 0338 3846 8 1665 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park Morrill Builders Supply  
10-12-1989 1152 1432 9 84 Essex St., Downtown Building fire in Chinatown, with water problems, filmed by CBS 48 Hours. Video 1
Video 2
6-26-1990 1534 731 5 115 Dorchester St., South Boston "Robinson's Hardware Fire" destroyed a neighborhood store.  
12-12-1990 0825 1546 3 Back Bay Station, Dartmouth St., Back Bay Crash of AMTRAK and Commuter Rail trains caused many injuries.  
10-04-1991 1602 1332 6 15 Sudbury St., Downtown Fire on the roof of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building.  
11-2-1992 1111 6182 7 53 White Street, East Boston Fire in a large three-story residential building. Photo
4-22-1993 1649 1662 6 1761 Washington St., South End Large fire gutted commercial buildings and a 5-story former hotel. Photo
10-4-1993 1329 6134 7 135 Marginal St., East Boston Pier fire  
6-24-1994 0037 4113 9 40 Charles River Ave., Charlestown Rapids Furniture Company warehouse fire on a pier, 1 FF death.  
8-31-1995 0440 1571 5 26 Exeter Street, Back Bay "Exeter Street Theatre Fire" heavily damaged a landmark theatre building.  
11-13-1996 1342 7433 7 283-295 K Street, South Boston "K Street Fire" involved many connected buildings on K Street. Photo
8-26-1998 1107 36 W/F 8 Ashton St., Dorchester Gas explosion leveled a duplex 3-decker and damaged many homes. Story
12-3-1998 0551 1316 9 112 Canal St., Downtown "Canal Street Fire" desroyed a furniture warehouse building.  
4-8-2000 1547 6262 9 61 Bayswater St., East Boston Orient Heights Yacht Club was destroyed along with many homes.  
10-29-2000 0124 7441 9 5 Swallow St., South Boston "Swallow Street Fire" destroyed 7 three-deckers, damaged others.  
8-2-2001 2102 1411 3 298 Congress St., Downtown "Tea Party Ship & Museum Fire" destroyed replica ship and buildings.  
5-4-2002 1531 4228 9 1st Ave & 13th St., Charlestown "Rope Walk Fire" at the former Charlestown Navy Yard.  
10-1-2002 1624 7324 9 776 Summer St., South Boston Boston Edison Power Plant fire.  
5-3-2003 0447 3418 7 16 Melbourne St., Dorchester Early morning fire in a 3-decker extended to two other 3-deckers.  
1-18-2005 1731 2461 5 633 Centre St., Jamaica Plain "First Baptist Church Fire" destroyed a Jamaica Plain landmark.  
2-22-2007 1851 1212 6 129 Endicott St., North End Fire in a 5-story commercial and residential building.  
8-27-2007 1200 1411 2 Congress Street Bridge, South Boston Fire destroyed the Boston Tea Party Museum. Story
8-29-2007 2105 281 4 1721 Centre St., West Roxbury Fire in a row of 'taxpayers' caused death of two firefighters.  
12-31-2007 1941 7435 7 309 Emerson St., South Boston Fire in a 5-story ex-hotel converted to condominiums with two deaths.  
1-5-2008 0340 3744 4 2-20 Fairmount Ave., Hyde Park Fire destroyed a large 3-story building housing many businesses.  
3-10-2008 0745 1573 4 776 Boylston St., Back Bay 14-story Mandarin Hotel fire, damaging condos under construction.  
6-30-2008 0324 1293 7 440 Atlantic Ave., Downtown James Hook Lobster Co. fire on the waterfront.  
1-6-2009 0157 2343 4 84-100 Peterborough St., Fenway Fire gutted a block of single-story stores and restaurants (taxpayers).  
2-21-2009 0123 3358 5 612-624 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester Fire destroyed a former theatre building, housing a church and stores.  
7-11-2009 0111 7218 4 400 Dorchester Ave., South Boston Fire destroyed a seafood processing plant and surrounding structures.  
4-7-2010 1347 1583 9 483 Beacon St., Back Bay Fire on floors 7 & 8 of a 10-story condo bldg. built in 1895. Hot 90* day.  
8-21-2010 2227 1712 9 57-75 Norfolk Ave., Roxbury Fire in multi-story Vacant warehouse, extented to an adjacent building.  
10-17-2011 0048 2296 5 71 Westminster Av/5,7,9 Wardman Rd., Roxbury Fire in a U-shaped apt. bldg., w/ rescue of 6 y.o. child dropped from 3rd fl.  
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