Three-alarm fire hit Newhall Street home early last Friday

Eight left homeless as a result of the blaze, which is still under investigation; second major fire in Malden in less than a month

By Steve Freker

An early morning three-alarm fire hit a Newhall Street home last Friday, sending heavy flames soaring into the sky as Malden Fire Department crews and those from four other communities battled the blaze. No one was reported injured as a result of the fire, but eight people were forced out and left homeless as a result.

Crews with the Malden Fire Department were called to the fire at 96 Newhall St. just after 1:30 a.m. on Friday and arrived to find heavy fire in the building. Everyone was out of the home when they arrived, according to Assistant Fire Chief Lenny Dunn.

Dunn called the fire “a difficult one to fight” and said it took “a lot of manpower to get it knocked down.” The tight space that exists on Newhall Street was a major challenge as fire crews battled to get equipment set up to fight the blaze.

No cause of the fire has yet to be determined as the fire remains under investigation by Malden Fire officials and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Red Cross and Malden Emergency Management were on hand to assist residents in finding shelter for the morning and into the near future.

No damage cost estimate was available, though fire officials said the home was severely damaged.