At 159 a.m. on Wednesday morning, December 30th, the Somerville Fire Department responded to a house fire at 20 Kensington Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with heavy fire conditions in the basement spreading rapidly up the rear stairway.

Two occupants were also trapped on the second floor in the rear. A ladder was thrown and they were removed to safety. Two firefighters were injured during the rescues and required transport to Mass General Hospital. They have both been released and will be recovering at home. An additional seven firefighters sustained minor injuries but were able to remain on duty. A Third Alarm was sounded bringing assistance to the fire from Boston, Cambridge, Medford and Everett. Three adults and four children have been displaced. Four cats were rescued from the home. Fire spread from the basement to the upper floors in walls and ceilings and required extensive labor to expose the hidden and spreading fire. The house is presently uninhabitable and suffered extensive fire, smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Charles J. Breen Jr.
Somerville Fire Department
Chief Engineer