REVERE — The cause of a seven-alarm fire that affected three homes on Hyde Street on Tuesday was likely accidental, according to the fire department and the state fire marshal.
The ongoing investigation by the department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal has found no indication of foul play, and was possibly linked to an electrical cause.
“A fire of this magnitude in a thickly-settled area poses a grave danger to residents, firefighters and the surrounding community,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “Fortunately, the building’s occupants heard smoke alarms, smelled smoke and reported the fire quickly. This allowed a rapid response by Revere firefighters that was bolstered by mutual aid, bringing personnel from surrounding communities to provide assistance that made a difference in Tuesday’s sweltering heat.”
Firefighters that responded to the fire at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday had to contend with 100-degree weather, and several were treated for heat exhaustion.
Residents in two buildings on Hyde Street and one on Pleasant Street were displaced by the fire.
“We are extremely fortunate that no residents were injured in this fast-moving fire,” said Revere Fire Chief Christopher Bright. “The day’s severe heat conditions and heavy smoke created a challenging situation and resulted in five firefighters being transported to area hospitals for dehydration and other heat-related injuries, but things could have been much worse if the fire developed while people were sleeping.”
