Fire broke out in a historic row house on Maple Street in Springfield, adding to the challenges facing efforts to save these buildings. The fire was reported by a 911 caller at 174 Maple St., which had also experienced a fire in January. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the second floor hall, preventing it from damaging neighboring buildings.
Due to the need for additional manpower to remove boards securing the vacant building, a second alarm was struck. Firefighters accessed the blaze through a ladder and from the exterior. Despite the building being marked as dangerous for firefighters, they entered to ensure no one was inside and to confirm the fire was extinguished.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, with investigators planning to enter the building to investigate. The row houses, built in 1873, are historically and architecturally significant but have been neglected over the years. Developer Paul J. Bongiorni and his partner purchased four of the buildings and received a grant for renovations.
The city’s efforts to find a developer for the last two row houses are on hold pending an evaluation of the property’s structural integrity after the fire. The concern is the potential impact on shared walls if one building is demolished.
Despite the challenges, the city is committed to finding a solution that preserves these historic buildings and potentially creates market-rate apartments. The fire underscores the urgency of these preservation efforts in order to prevent further damage and loss of valuable historical structures.
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