4- Alarm Fire At Brighton Senior Housing, Sends 2 To Hospital

BOSTON — Two women were taken to a hospital after firefighters partially evacuated a five-story senior housing complex where a four-alarm fire broke out at 20 Washington Street in Brighton.

A call came into 911 around 8:20 a.m. for a report of a fire at the building. When fire fighters arrived they saw smoke coming from a second story window facing the street and quickly ordered a second and third alarm around 8:45 a.m. By 9 a.m. officials called for a fourth alarm.

"It was very intense," said the fire commissioner, pointing to the charred and broken windows facing Washington Street.

Firefighters were using ladders to rescue people from some floors, and told others to shelter in place, according to Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn.

"With buildings like this; it's best for us that people stay in their unit," said Finn noting that has to do with the brick building and the sprinkler system.

One resident was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, the other for a slip on the ice, the commissioner said. No firefighters were injured. Officials said the fire was contained to the second floor apartment and damages are around $500,000.

Firefighters pulled three people out of their apartments from the ladders.

John Crowell has lived on the third floor of the building for the past three years. He said he heard the alarm going off and ducked into the hallway to check to see whether it was a unit alarm going off indicating someone needed assistance. When he realized it was a fire alarm, his first concern was his neighbors.

"I banged on all the neighbor's doors and told them to get up and get out there's a fire," said Crowell.

After the fire was put out a resident of the second floor came running up to the building asking firefighters to rescue her dog. Later she was seen reunited with her dog who seemed to be OK.

Neighbors were able to go into a separate building where the building management offered them a place to stay warm and get coffee.

The five-story, 25 unit Patricia White Apartments are across from the Whole Foods near the border with Brookline. Patricia White apartments are publicly owned by Boston Housing Authority and privately managed by Corcoran.

Here's what the Commissioner said to reporters:

Here's what one person observed:

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Photos Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff