Hyde Street Triple-decker Gutted by Seven-alarm Inferno

  As temperatures soared into the mid-90s, Revere firefighters responded to a roaring seven-alarm blaze during the late afternoon of June 29.

  The fire broke out at approximately 4:30 p.m. at 25 Hyde St. Upon arrival, firefighters were faced with intense fire, blinding smoke and low-hanging power lines that were also burning. Two other homes were damaged by the blaze, which spread as the wind changed direction.

  “There was a lot to deal with,” said Fire Chief Christopher Bright, adding that the two adjacent homes also sustained heavy damage. “That whole area was covered in smoke.”

  Revere firefighters were assisted by a number of other fire departments, including those from Arlington, Milton, Everett, Cambridge, Stoneham and Malden.

  “There had to be well over 100 firefighters there,” said Bright.

  However, even with mutual aid, it still took more than four hours for the flames to be fully extinguished.

  “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.”

  Although no injuries were reported, two firefighters narrowly escaped out a third floor window when a roof partially collapsed in one of the adjacent homes. As a result of the high temperatures, several firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion and five firefighters were taken to the hospital.

  “The day’s severe heat conditions and heavy smoke created a challenging situation, but things could have been much worse if the fire developed while people were sleeping,” said Bright.

  He said monetary damage is estimated at $1.7 million.

  This blaze comes one month after a five-alarm fire broke out on Endicott Avenue in Beachmont and three weeks after a three-alarm blaze broke out on Kingman Avenue.

  The day after the fire, Mayor Brian Arrigo announced that he would extend the donation deadline for the Fire Relief Fund to July 30 to assist the 28 residents who were displaced. “I am extending the Fire Relief Fund to allow our community the opportunity to securely offer a hand to the families affected by the fire on Hyde Street,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for the Revere Fire Department and our first responders for ensuring the safety of our residents. Yesterday’s sweltering conditions made yesterday’s emergency response that much more difficult, but as always our firefighters stepped up and sacrificed for the greater good. As our local nonprofits and community organizations continue to support these families, this fund allows all in our community to offer help as they head toward better times.”

  Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at https://www.revere.org/mayors-office/relief.

  Although the cause remains under investigation, Bright said an electrical malfunction may have started the fire.