A Summer of Fires in Somerville

Update, Sept. 18, 2013: Authorities determined a small fire on Sept. 6 was also caused by arson. It led the city and state to offer a combined $25,000 reward for information about this summer's arsons. The tip line is (617) 629-1847. I've added that fire to this list along with a Sept. 17 fire that broke out in Magoun Square. — Chris Orchard


Update, Aug. 28, 2013: I've added three more fires to this list: 34 Highland Ave., 85 Bromfield Rd. and 313 Summer St. — Chris Orchard

Update, Aug 19, 2013: Officials announced today that at least three of these fires were the result of arson. As of Aug. 19, three more remained under investigation. Another three—151 College Ave., 19-17 Banks St. and 18 Belmont St.—were determined to be accidental.

Also, I have added two fires to this list. One, which occurred on June 27, displaced between 24 and 27 people. Thank you, Catie Ferrara, for leaving the comment below reminding me about that fire. The other, at 18 Belmont St., happened on Aug. 18. — Chris Orchard

ORIGINAL STORY 

Over the course of one month, from July 12 to Aug. 13, Somerville has experienced at least seven significant fires. All of them struck during early morning hours.

Some of the fires were considered accidental, but the Massachusetts fire marshal's office, working with the Somerville Fire Department and the Somerville Police Department, were investigating a number of the fires as suspicious and potentially connected, according to BostonHerald.com.

Collectively, the fires displaced around 75 people from their homes. Here's a quick look at the fires that have hit Somerville from July 12 to Aug. 13:

106 Walnut St., June 27, 5:06 a.m.
This manpower-intensive four-alarm fire displaced between 24 and 27 people.

68 Rear Dane St., July 12, 4:32 a.m.
This small fire outside Union Square was contained to the basement.

25 Lewis St, July 12, 5:02 a.m.
Half an hour later and about 0.2 miles away, by foot, from 68 Dane St., this fire started on the first floor and extended to the roof. It caused up to $500,000 in damage, according to early estimates, and it displaced nine residents.

151 College Ave., July 18, 4:15 a.m.
This fire, near the Poweder House Rotary, started on the second-floor porch and extended to an upper floor, causing about $60,000 in damage and displacing two families, according to estimates at the time. At the time the fire was thought to be accidental, possibly caused by smoking.

46 Belmont St., July 19, 3:30 a.m.
A week, to the day, after the Dane Street and Lewis Street blazes, this two-alarm fire in Spring Hill displaced four residents.

27 Lake St., July 19, 5 a.m.
The same morning as the Belmont Street fire and less than half a mile, by foot, from the Dane Street fire, this incident near Union Square displaced 13 people.

15-29 Calvin St. and 22-24 Beacon Place, July 25, shortly before 6 a.m.
The most serious of the fires to date, this blaze damaged eight homes and displaced 45 people. At least two homes were completely gutted. It sent a black plume of smoke into the sky outside Union Square, and it struck about 300 feet away from the Dane Street and Lewis Street fires, and about a quarter mile away from the Lake Street fire.

19 and 17 Banks St., Aug.13, 5:05 a.m.
This three-alarm fire near Porter Square spread from 19 Banks St. to 17 Banks St., displacing around eight people. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction in a lighting fixture.

18 Belmont St., Aug. 18, around 8 a.m.
This morning fire broke out just 10 doors down from the 46 Belmont St. fire. It was ultimately determined to be accidental, probably caused by smoking, fire officials said. Though it looked bad on the outside, no residents were expected to be displaced.

34 Highland Ave., Aug. 27, 12:52 p.m.
This fire started in a top-floor apartment in a 16-unit apartment building, across the street from the Somerville Public Library. At the time, it was not considered suspicious, but it displaced four families, consisting of nine adults and three children. It also closed down Highland Avenue for part of the afternoon.

85 Bromfield St., Aug. 28, 5:32 a.m.
Starting on the porch, this fire spread to the first and second floor of this two-family home. The Red Cross assisted two people from one unit. The residents from the other unit weren't home at the time. As of Aug. 28, fire investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire.

313 Somerville Ave., Aug. 28, 5:46 a.m.
This fire started in a car parked in the driveway, and it spread to the two-family home. The Red Cross assisted one person, and residents from the other unit weren't at home during the fire. Investigators were at the scene of this fire on Aug. 28 to determine the cause.

Laurel Terrace, Sept. 6, 6:40 a.m.
This fire caused virtually no damage because a resident helped extinguish it before the fire department arrived to put it out completely. There were no displacements or injuries, but it was arson.

486 Medford St., Sept. 17, 3:11 p.m.
Twelve people were displaced by this fire, and Medford Street in Magoun Square was closed down for the afternoon as firefighters put out flames. As of Sept. 18, the next day, the fire was still under investigation.

27 Dickinson St., Sept. 26, around 8 p.m.
This fire gutted the top floors of a family home near Inman Square. The family had lived in the home for three generations, and seven people, including an infant, were displaced. The fire was not considered suspicious.