9-Alarm Fire Burns Through Chelsea, MA, Mill Building

Nov. 18, 2024
Firefighters from around the Boston area responded as flames burned through the former Chelsea mill building.

An overnight fire burned through a mill building in Chelsea, which recently was listed for sale for $30 million.

Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri told NBC Boston that the fire, which was reported about 12:30 a.m., reached nine alarms within three hours.

Firefighters from across the Boston area responded to the blaze, which burned through the four-story building at 1 Forbes Street.

Quatieri said the fire was pretty much contained by 6 a.m.

According to CBS Boston, the property has been approved for development after being listed for sale for $30 million.

It was built for the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing in the early 1900s and remained open until the 1960s, Boston25News.com reported

Quatieri said firefighters inspected the building often.

"The fire has led to restricted access to the school campus, and our primary concern is the safety of our students, staff, and families," Superintendent Dr. Almi Abeyta shared in a statement about an elementary school being closed Monday.

The fire also caused cancellations on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Newburyport-Rockport train line.

About the Author

Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director

Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.