Worker, Firefighter Recovering After Air Explosion And Fire At Scuba Store In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — Two people are recovering from injuries after a fire broke out at a local scuba store on Thursday.

An East Coast Divers employee suffered burns, and a Brookline firefighter suffered a hand laceration due to the three-alarm blaze at the Boylston Street business. According to the town of Brookline, both injuries are non-life-threatening.

Crews responded to the scene on 211 and 213 Boylston St. and found heavy smoke and flames emanating primarily from the first floor and basement of the three-story, mixed-use building where East Coast Divers is located. The fire department received multiple reports of explosions from civilians, as multiple compressed air cylinders located in the back of the store exploded. Fire Chief John Sullivan said the tanks did not contain any hazardous materials.

Two apartment units directly above the business sustained damage, leaving its residents temporarily displaced.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation by Brookline Fire investigators and State Fire Marshals.

Traffic in both directions of Route 9 on Boylston Street was temporarily halted to allow emergency responders to handle the situation, however both lanes were reopened by 1:30 p.m.

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