One person was killed and five firefighters were treated by Boston EMS for minor injuries in a 4-alarm fire that broke out in a home on Murdock Street in Brighton and jumped to a second home on Thursday morning.

The Boston Fire Department responded at 7:30 a.m. to the three-family, three-story home at 105 Murdock St. and found heavy smoke already flowing from the home. The fire reached the top floor and jumped to a building a 107 Murdock St.

House sits on a corner Murdock and Gardena St http://t.co/uFPKDLi1SS — Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) August 21, 2014

The Boston Fire Department said that one adult male victim was found in the basement and pronounced dead at the scene. He may have escaped but then re-entered the building in order to help others escape. WBZ’s Bree Sison reported a language barrier between residents and firefighters “hindered their notification that the victim was still unaccounted for.’’


According to the Boston Fire Department, five firefighters were treated by Boston EMS for various minor injuries. Four civilians were also treated and transported, including two from the fire and two from a car accident involving a fire truck near the scene.

The Boston Globe reported that the fire is being considered accidental at this time. By late afternoon, the BFD said investigators determined the cause of the fire was a short circuit in the first floor kitchen. Investigators from Housing and Inspectional Services are also looking into the fire after it was determined that a family of 14 was living in the top floor and attic apartment. The fire then rose to the roof, trapping some people on the third floor. The Boston Fire Department said that a neighbor saved two people trapped on the top floor before firefighters arrived by rushing to their aid with his personal ground ladder. The two people used the ladder to escape harm.

Damage estimates were put at $700,000 for 105 Murdock St. and $150,000 for 107 Murdock St. The Boston Fire Department Twitter account sent out several images of the damage to the exterior of the homes.

First floor exterior B side of 105 http://t.co/RmVPs17Dd5 — Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) August 21, 2014

The fire appeared to be producing a lot of smoke that was then rising over the neighborhood and visible for some distance. Multiple people sent out images of the smoke on social media.

Crews working to put out a 4 alarm fire on Murdock Street in Brighton. This is the smoke seen from the Mass Pike. pic.twitter.com/6mG1CZvJzU — Katelyn Flint (@Katelyn_Flint) August 21, 2014