Boston

1 Injured, Home Destroyed in 5-Alarm Blaze in Roxbury

Heavy fire was reported on the second floor and attic of the building

Boston firefighters battled a 5-alarm fire in frigid temperatures in the city's Roxbury neighborhood on Tuesday morning.

The fire was reported around 9 a.m. in a 2-1/2 story building located at 27 and 29 Perrin St.

The buildling's nine residents escaped on their own, fire officials said. One woman was taken to a nearby hospital with minor burns. Her condition was not immediately known.

Heavy fire was reported on the second floor and attic. All companies were ordered off the roof and out of the building and were forced to fight the flames from outside. Heavy smoke and icy conditions made fighting the fire particularly difficult.

An hour after the fire was reported, fire could still be seen burning through the building's roof.

"It was well ahead of us when we arrived and it made its way into the attic, which makes it more difficult," Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn said.

The century-old home was a total loss, according to fire officials. Damage is estimated at $750,000.

"It is an old family home. It's been in our family for generations," homeowner Charlotte James said. "We just really want to try and process this and figure out how to best go on."

Firefighters said they expect to be at the fire scene for most of the day to make sure it doesn't flare up again.

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