Dorchester Fire Burned 1 Day Before Inspections Were Scheduled

BOSTON, MA — A six-story building in Dorchester in the final stages of construction and just days from inspections was the site of a stubborn six-alarm fire that firefighters battled into the night. The multi-use building was set to have its fire alarm system inspected Thursday and for people to move in July 15.

The Boston Fire Department responded to 1971-1977 Dorchester Ave. around 2:30 p.m. and have been battling to suppress the scene since. The fire was still burning across the roof, the department said at 6:49 p.m. Firefighters were taking precautions in case of structural collapses and noted a weakened roof. The lone injury reported was a construction worker suffering chest pains.

The area has been blocked off to foot and vehicle traffic all day. The fire department said the section of Dorchester Ave. from Ashmont Street to Washington Street will be closed all night because of the thick smoke. Firefighters have been asking nearby residents to stay inside. The Ashmont T Stop has been closed for the better part of Wednesday, and at least eight bus routes were detoured. People have taken to Twitter reporting they can smell smoke as far south as Quincy.

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The top two floors of the building had 32 condos that were already sold, the fire department said. The second, third, and fourth floors were apartments that had nearly all been rented. The popular South Boston-based market American Provisions was slated to open a second shop on the first floor this summer.

The Treadmark building is just outside Peabody Square and across from the Ashmont T stop. The owner for the building zoned for mixed use is listed as Ashmont Two Primary. Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn said inspections for the building were planned for later this week.

Check out this video one passerby posted to Twitter of the smoke billowing out of the building:

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Photos courtesy of Boston Fire via Twitter