Firefighter Injured While Battling Roxbury Church Fire In Frigid Conditions
BOSTON (CBS) -- Boston firefighters were out in single digit temps overnight to battle flames at the Holy Mt. Zion Church in Roxbury. The large fire burned for hours and heavy smoke made visibility hard.
By 6 a.m. Saturday, the fire was six-alarms because of the treacherous work conditions.
One firefighter was transported with a leg injury, the Boston Fire Department tweeted. The firefighter slipped on an icy latter.
"They don't think it's broke, but he probably has a torn ligament or two," said Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn.
Rotating Tower Ladder 10's firefighters working in the bucket pic.twitter.com/oeMQZR9Rfg
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) February 2, 2019
The road and surrounding areas were slippery and iced over. At one point, part of the roof also collapsed.
"There's probably multiple ceilings and that's why we had a difficult time accessing exactly where that fire is," Finn said.
Traffic in the area was also impacted, the road was blocked off, drivers on Townsend Street were forced down Walnut Avenue.
The department also tweeted their thanks to volunteers who came out to give them hot chocolate, soup, and extra gloves on scene.
Thank you, Thank you to @BostonSparks A-10 and A-11 Canteen Crews. Hot chocolate, coffee, soup, extra gloves and socks, hand warmers. They are the best..and all VOLUNTEERS!!! Invaluable to all 1st Responders pic.twitter.com/2Ca0tM84xp
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) February 2, 2019
"I don't know how this building caught on fire. It's absolutely amazing to me and the fact the flames kept coming back," said neighbor Elise Sutherland.
It took firefighters nearly five hours to put out the flames.
No word yet on what caused the fire.
About $1 million was done in damages.