Charlestown Fire Investigation Continues

BOSTON, MA- Investigators are working to determine the cause of a massive fire that left nine people homeless, sent five firefighters to the hospital and created a gripping scene of raging flames and gushing smoke in Charlestown.

The six-alarm fire ravaged buildings at 282, 286 and 284 Bunker Hill Street Thursday afternoon, with firefighters remaining on scene into the night.

Because of the heavy fire damage, the buildings are structurally unstable, and investigatory work to identify the exact cause is slow going, Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn, who worked the scene Thursday, offered an update on the investigation to reporters in a press conference Friday.

Finn told reporter he believes the blaze began on the ground level.

Damage is estimated at more than $5 million.

According to Finn, five firefighters were treated at the hospital, mostly for heat exhaustion, and all are okay. Temperatures climbed to 90 degrees Thursday, as the fire raged.

>> Photo via Boston Fire Department