Jan. 22--Seven Boston University students were hospitalized this morning -- one in critical condition -- after a raging fire consuming their apartment house on the Allston-Brighton line drove two of them to leap from upper-story windows to save their lives.
Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald was not immediately certain of the extent of their injuries, but said, "The students' faces were covered with black soot. They probably ingested a lot of smoke. Boston EMS did a great job with them at the scene."
Investigators are now combing through the wreckage of the wood-frame property for a cause. Preliminary damages have been estimated at $500,000, MacDonald said. The university is assisting the students in finding alternative housing.
One of the jumpers, an adult male, was in critical condition, he said.
The Colonial at 84 Linden St. is assessed by the city as a one-family; however, MacDonald said the students were living in apartments in the basement, first and second floors, and the attic.
By the time Engine 41 and Ladder 14 arrived on scene shortly before 7:10 a.m., MacDonald said, "As they took the turn out of the firehouse they could see the smoke. There was heavy fire throughout the house."
So horrific was the fire and smoke, on top of 18-degree weather, that MacDonald said firefighters had to immediately go into defensive mode and remain outside.
"We poured water on it from all sides," he said. "In my opinion the building will be torn down. The roof's gone, the interior's gone, the stairwell is gone."
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