View of the fire from the corner of Atlantic Av. and Tileston Sq., Downtown, 12-29-1971. 
View looking east along Atlantic Av., with Ladder 8 in the center of the photo. 
Viewing the front of the building, with the large 'Gulf' sign painted on the side. 
Another view of the front of the building, with a heavy smoke condition. |
STORY
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, December 29, 1971, a fire broke out in a vacant 6-story brick commercial building at 604-610 Atlantic Avenue, Downtown. The building was located a short distance from South Station, in an area dominated by wool brokerages and warehouses. Upon arrival of the first fire companies from the firehouse at 123 Oliver Street, Fort Hill Square, Downtown, a 'Working Fire' was ordered, followed shortly by a Second Alarm and a Third Alarm. At this point, the building was compeletly engulfed in fire, and a defensive, exterior attack on the fire was commenced. When the fire was extinguished, the building was demolished. The site shortly thereafter became the planned site of the new Federal Reserve Bank building. Those plans were completed as planned, and the Federal Reserve Bank building now occupies the site, although with a much larger footprint. The Bank covers the entire block bounded by Atlantic Ave., Congress St., Dorchester Ave., and Summer St. The following is the response by the Boston Fire Department to Box 1412, Atlantic Ave. & Summer St., Dewey Square, for this fire:
Box 1412 1214 hrs Engines 25, 7, 39 Ladders 8, 18 Res. 1 Dist. 3 Div. 1 The maps below show the location of 604-610 Atlantic Avenue, in 1938, and the site today. Fire photos submitted by Bruce Cook. 
1938 map shows the location of 604-610 Atlantic Av., Downtown. 
2000 map shows the area of 604-610 Atlantic Av., Downtown, showing the Federal Rexerve Bank. 
A circa 1950 photo of the Gulf gas station, located between the fire building and South Station. 
A view of Atlantic Ave. in 1942, with the fire building and the large 'Gulf' sign painted on the side. |