Firefighters battle blaze at vacant building that sent thick, black smoke over Wakefield

Fast-moving flames from a commercial building fire sent thick black smoke pouring over the sky in Wakefield, Massachusetts, on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to a vacant building at 102 Foundry Street for the fire around 3 p.m. It quickly turned into an intense battle, as firefighters faced scorching temperatures while working to prevent the raging fire from spreading to nearby buildings. 

"Multiple small explosions occurred during the fire, but crews were able to contain the flames to the original building," the Wakefield Fire Department said in a press release.

Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. "It's just different than anything I've ever seen," said witness Yvonne Burbine. "It just keeps going, and going, and going."

A medic tent with water and ice was stationed nearby to make sure first responders stayed hydrated in their gear.

"Everybody has to stay hydrated. It's much different when we're pressing 90-95, 100 degrees," said Wakefield Fire Chief Thomas Purcell. "Fantastic job by all; I'm the least of the concern; it's the men and women that are out there fighting the structure fire."

"They are sweating their butts off, and they are doing amazing," said Terrie Ahern, who brought water. "I can't thank them enough, because I live right there, and I don't want this to go into my home."   

Several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration, but no serious injuries were reported. 

Over 20 companies from Wakefield, Stoneham, Peabody, Saugus, and other neighboring towns joined in the fight. The fire was under control by 6 p.m. and the building was demolished overnight. Firefighters stayed on scene until 3 a.m. Saturday to ensure that there were no hotspots.

Service at a nearby MBTA Commuter Rail station in Haverhill was temporarily suspended while firefighters battled the fire. The station has since been reopened.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.