MA State House Closed After Electrical Fire

BOSTON, MA — Boston firefighters fought a two-alarm fire at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, an incident that forced officials ranging from Gov. Maura Healey to lawmakers to flee the building.

The Boston Fire Department reported that a transformer in the basement of the building caught fire before 3 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was eventually upgraded to two alarms, and the building was evacuated, the department said.

The fire was put out Tuesday afternoon, but state officials said the building would remain closed Wednesday.

"Out of an abundance of caution while details of today's fire continue to be investigated, the Massachusetts State House will be closed on Wednesday. We're grateful for the efforts of the Boston Fire Department, Mass State Police and DCR Rangers to ensure the safety of all officials, staff and visitors and are working diligently to reopen the building as quickly and safely as possible," State House Superintendent Tammy Kraus said.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Sudbury, said he was in the midst of a Joint Committee on Judiciary hearing when the fire broke out.

"[A] hearing I was co-chairing has been evacuated due to a real fire concern — a transformer in the back of the building is/was sparking," he tweeted.

Eldridge shared photos from the scene as lawmakers and staff were ushered onto the streets outside the Beacon Hill building.

State police closed Bowdoin, Beacon, Hancock and Dern streets on Beacon Hill due to the emergency. The State House did not reopen Tuesday.