9-Alarm Fire on Beacon Street in Boston

8:29pm

Boston Fire Department is reporting that the fire is still burning and they will be working into the night to put it out. The number of units inside the building was unknown. They are also reporting that the roof on the building has collapsed.

Press conference has just concluded.

8:21pm

Cause of fire is unknown at this time but firefighters confirm it started in the basement of 298 Beacon Street.

8:18pm

Deputy fire chief speaking to the press: “I’ve worked 30 years and never seen a fire escalate this fast”

The two deceased firefighters were Lieutenant Ed Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy.

8:13pm

Mayor Walsh confirms that two firefighters died because of the fire: “My heart goes out to the two firefighters that lost their lives today.”

8:05pm

We are waiting for Mayor Walsh to speak to the press regarding today’s tragic fire.

7:51pm

Traffic update: Storrow Drive westbound is now open from Leverett Circle.

7:23pm

Traffic update via Massachusetts State Police: Storrow Drive westbound is now open, eastbound remains shut down. If you are driving through this area, you are being asked to seek alternate routes to get where you are going.

7:11pm

Storror Drive is closed heading eastbound.

Boston Public Health Commission is telling Back Bay residents who have been displaced by the fire they can head to the Copley Library Boston Room for services and support.

6:27pm

Multiple sources have told WEBN Boston that two firefighters have died.

Boston Fire Department just tweeted: “There are reasons why we stopped posting to Twitter. Will be explained later.”

Boston Fire Department also tweeted that media availability will not come until at least 8pm tonight, if not later.

Continue to stay with us for updates and follow @WEBNBoston on Twitter.

6:03pm

A source told WEBN Boston that two firefighters have died as a result of this fire. The same source also told us that one person is unaccounted for.

 5:48pm

Storrow Drive eastbound (inbound) about to be closed.

5:36pm

Boston EMS is reporting that 18 people have now been transported to area hospitals.

 5:22pm

Massachusetts State Police are saying that Storror Drive inbound in Boston is open with right lane closure from Mass Ave to where the fire is.

 5:06pm

Boston EMS has now transported 17 people to the hospital. They are reporting that this is still an active incident.

 4:59pm

Boston EMS has sent 11 to the hospital and is requesting staging for six more, per BEMSincidents on Twitter.

City of Boston is tweeting that Beacon Street is closed from the intersection of Arlington Street past the intersection of Fairfield. Beacon Street at Mass Ave is currently still open.

Storrow Drive westbound is closed starting at Leverett Circle.

 4:37pm

Firefighters are responding to a 9 alarm fire at 298 Beacon Street in Boston. All crews have been asked to stay off of roofs and all units have been ordered out of the impacted building, per Boston Fire Department.

Boston EMS is reporting that 8 have been transported with unknown injuries.

Storrow Drive is closed eastbound from Mass Ave to Charles Circle.