SOMERVILLE, MA — Two people suffered minor injuries in a fire that displaced residents at a veterans housing center in Somerville Thursday night.
Crews responded to a fire alarm at approximately 9:35 p.m. at the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center at 2 North St. Firefighters were notified of a fire in the basement and called for additional resources, according to the Somerville Fire Department.
Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the basement level and discovered a burning lithium-ion battery-powered skateboard inside a basement apartment. Crews advanced hose lines into the building while searching for occupants and opening windows for ventilation.
The basement sustained fire, smoke, and water damage, while the remainder of the building sustained smoke damage. One firefighter and one occupant suffered minor injuries.
Residents were displaced Thursday night after gas service was shut off at the building. Somerville Emergency Management, Inspectional Services, and Board of Health representatives responded to assist residents. Somerville police transported those displaced to nearby hotels.
The center is operated by Volunteers of America Massachusetts and provides 24 transitional housing units and seven permanent housing units for veterans. Services include housing and employment assistance, mental health and substance use treatment, counseling, and access to Veterans Affairs resources.
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