Fire races through North End building

Cooper Street fire. Photo by BFD.

A fire reported shortly after 11 p.m. on the top floor of 26 Cooper St. quickly went to four alarms. The Boston Fire Department reports one resident was taken to Mass. General with burns.

At one point, firefighters were ordered out of the building. Heavy fire was knocked down a few minutes before midnight.

The department estimates damage at $1 million to 26 and 28 Cooper and to 29 North Margin, says 13 people were displaced. The Red Cross provided emergency aid to seven of the displaced people and adds:

After asking for a place to interview those affected by fire. Frank (son) and Lucia (mom) Zano opened their restaurant Cafe Pompeii. After telling Red Cross volunteers that their money would not be accepted and that the North End is known for its hospitality, the Zano family served meals in the middle of the night to 20 people.

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