Damage to the parked vehicles. — Photos courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

The Somerville Fire Department was notified of a fire in a parking garage at 449 Canal Street at 220 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the garage and a fire on the fourth floor on the Great River Road side of the structure. The fire destroyed four vehicles and damaged a fifth. Heat from the burning vehicles also resulted in a portion of concrete collapsing. Three firefighters were injured by the falling section of concrete. Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The fire also spread to a void space between the garage and the adjacent Montaje Apartments igniting a rubber membrane between the two structures. This fire spread up to the roof of the garage and dropped burning debris down to the first floor. A Second Alarm was sounded bringing Everett and Cambridge to assist Somerville fire crews. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Charles J. Breen Jr.
Somerville Fire Department
Chief Engineer

Section of concrete which collapsed striking several firefighters