ICYMI: Woburn Fire Updates Us On Tuesday's Westgate Blaze

A fire broke out at the 12 Westgate Dr. apartment complex in Woburn Tuesday evening at approximately 5:30 p.m.

As of 7 p.m., its condition was upped to a three-alarm fire.

Residents of 11 units in the complex were displaced as a result, due to heavy fire damage in six cases, and heavy smoke and water damage in five cases.

The blaze mainly impacted half of the 22 unit building, according to Woburn Fire Chief Timothy Ring. Denizens of the 11 units that weren’t impacted may be able to return to their homes once utilities are restored at the owner’s discretion.

All residents of 12 Westgate managed to escape the premises before they could be injured. One firefighter sustained minor injuries.

Initially, it was reported that the fire started in the basement. Later, the majority of the blaze was said to be in the attic. Turns out, both of these reports were half true. Ring explained that the fire started in the first-floor kitchen, and worked its way up to the roof via the building’s HVAC duct.

The cause remains under investigation.

While the roof sustained heavy damage, the fire was out by 9:30 p.m., if not a bit earlier.

Fire Departments from Medford, Burlington, Winchester, Arlington, and Reading assisted Woburn Fire with dousing the blaze.

Screen grab via Mike Spinazola

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