Massive blaze at Malden 3-decker early yesterday morning shuts down Salem St.

Firefighters from 7 communities on scene at blaze, which started at sunrise Thursday; over a dozen left homeless, gridlock in Malden as city’s busiest street – Salem St. – shut down both ways

By Steve Freker

A massive five-alarm fire at a three-decker house on Albion Street shut down the city’s busiest street for hours early yesterday morning as Malden firefighters were joined by those from seven other communities to stem the blaze. One resident was rescued by Malden firefighters, who placed the victim on a stretcher, and over a dozen others fled the burning three-family home or were led out of the home by firefighters when they arrived, minutes after the fire was reported, according to initial reports.

Malden Fire officials were not available at press time to confirm the details of the rescue or to discuss the cause of the fire, which began shortly after 6:00 a.m. Malden Fire Chief Steve Froio was at the scene from the start of the firefighting and throughout the morning, but he and his command staff were unavailable for comment due to the active operations yesterday morning.

Huge, shooting flames could be seen from the top of the burning three-decker right after the start of the blaze, according to an online report and video. There were no immediate reports of injuries at the fire scene, at 8 Albion St., to either residents of the three-family home or any fire personnel battling the blaze. Seen at the scene were apparatus from Everett, Revere, Somerville, Medford and other communities.

The location of the fire, adjacent to Salem Street and one street away from Malden High School, basically caused gridlock – traffic-wise – for the city for several hours Thursday morning as firefighters battled the blaze. Salem Street is the main bus route lifeline of the city of Malden from the two main population hubs on the east and west sides and many of the nearly 2,000 students at Malden High School. According to reports, well over half of the MHS students arrive at school by bus or are dropped off by caregivers, making the usual 77 Salem St. entrance inaccessible since Salem Street was completely blocked off on both ends. An alternate bus route was quickly adjusted through Malden Police and the MBTA to assist in getting students to school. Malden Police assisted with blocking off streets while Cataldo Ambulance had multiple units on scene and the American Red Cross had a unit on scene to assist any displaced residents.