29 people displaced as 6 alarm fire burns through 2 family homes in Dorchester

BOSTON - A major fire in Dorchester broke out this afternoon garnering a massive firefighter response.

"What are we going to do right now and where are we going to go," says one displaced neighbor, Jeffrey Stringer.

Questions no one wants to answer in the middle of the holiday season, but now at least 29 people are wondering just that.

"It's just a sad situation everything's going up in smoke. So close to the season and everything it's like damn it sucks," says Stringer.

Jeffrey Stringer was on the third floor of his Ellington St. apartment in Dorchester when the building next door went up in smoke.

"My son came and banged on my door to tell me the house next door was on fire," says Stringer.

The Boston Fire Department arrived in droves, getting neighbors out before taking on the massive flames that were spreading fast.  

"It was a big concern because the houses are so close together on this street. All the back porches were fully engulfed in flames," says Boston Fire Department Commissioner Paul Burke.

Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke and Mayor Michelle Wu on scene Saturday supporting firefighter and neighbors.

"Its devastating to be enjoying yourself and relaxing over the weekend with the holiday weekend and see your life just flash before you," says Boston Mayor, Michelle Wu.

This devastating fire not only displacing at least 29 people but neighbors tell me they're missing their pets several cats have not been found.

"I still don't know where my cats are at and my neighbors cat was in her house," says Jeffrey Stringer says he ran back into the burning buildings to try to rescue the animals.

"I just see flames in the room and the fire department told me to get the hell out. What can you do but rebuild and figure it out."

Local agencies and elected officials are offering help, even bringing in an MBTA bus to keep displaced neighbors warm while figuring out what's next.

"We're going to try to meet every need these families have whether it's housing food wrapping our arms around these families especially around the holidays," says Boston City Counilmember Brian Worrell.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army will be supporting these families.

In:
• Dorchester News
• Boston
• Fire
• Dorchester