Schools in Massachusetts canceled classes this morning after a monster fire tore through a building in Chelsea overnight.
Emergency crews responded to a nine-alarm fire at an abandoned four-story mill-style warehouse around midnight on Monday.
Hundreds of firefighters from Chelsea, Belmont, Brookline, Waltham and other nearby areas responded to the inferno as they worked to extinguish the blaze.
Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri said the fire broke out at the Forbes site, which has been abandoned for 15 years.
As of 6am, most of the flames had been put out, and no injuries were reported, according to NBC Boston.
However, fire crews are expected to remain on site throughout the day amid fears that the building may collapse.
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the warehouse, and have prevented it from spreading to a nearby building and commuter train station.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
A massive nine-alarm fire broke out overnight in Chelsea, Massachusetts at the Forbes site – a four-story warehouse
Hundreds of firefighters from Chelsea, Belmont, Brookline, Waltham and other nearby areas responded to the inferno as they worked to extinguish the blaze
Quatieri said the building was already in rough condition before flames took over.
According to North Horizon News, firefighters frequently visit the abandoned building to inspect its condition.
Schools in the Mary C. Burke Elementary complex closed due to the fire, including Berkowitz, Hooks, Kelly, and Solowski schools, WHDH reported.
All other schools in the city remain open.
Fire crews are expected to remain on site throughout the day amid fears that the building may collapse
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the warehouse, as it did not spread to a nearby building and commuter train station
Edna Vargas, a local who lives in the area, told the station ‘it took like 15 minutes’ before the whole warehouse was engulfed in flames.
‘Just glad the team came out – they were able to get what they had to done, and everyone’s safe, so they did a great job,’ another resident, Dayanara Montilla said.
Several surrounding streets in the area have been blocked off due to the fire.
The state fire marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
This is a developing story.
