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Hyde Park fire sends seven to the hospital; worsens when natural-gas line into basement gives way
By adamg on Sat, 11/21/2015 - 5:40pm
9 Greenwood fire. Photo by BFD.
A four-alarm fire that broke out around 5:30 p.m. at 9 Greenwood Ave. sent five residents - two of them children - and two firefighters to the hospital.
On arrival, firefighters rescued two adults and two children down a ladder.
By 5:45, the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Around 6 p.m., a mayday was briefly declared for a firefighter on the third flood; he was found and accounted for. Fire commanders ordered all firefighters out of the building and into "defensive" positions outside to protect nearby buildings.
At 6:20 p.m., a fourth alarm was struck.
Firefighters were hampered by a natural-gas line into the basement that ruptured during the fire, keeping it fed with gas. When Eversource, which provides natural gas in Hyde Park, said it didn't have any workers on duty who could go to the street to turn off the gas, National Grid was contacted and said it could send somebody.
The gas was finally shut off around 6:33 p.m., but flames continued to shoot through the roof, which began collapsing about six minutes later. Firefighters were ordered to move back 100 feet from the building.
The Boston Fire Department estimated damage at $850,000.
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Comments
How terrifying
Fingers crossed for all the injured and the firefighters, too!
Boston Fire Department
They saved lives tonight. Good job.
hyde park fire
Eversource had no one working that could turn off the gas???? Mahty better get right on that one!
thanks for the concern,
thanks for the concern, eversource.
You're my favorite price-gouging monopolistic asshole of the day.
Just say no
to natural gas. There are less-dangerous ways to heat.
In what way?
Tanks of oil fuel fires and create hazmat problems.
Solar only works if your house is superinsulated, and only when not covered by snow.
Natural gas creates less smog than oil, too.
Your turn.
Air source heat pump.
Air source heat pump.
Not in this climate ,
Not in this climate ,
''WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP?
Technically, a heat pump is a mechanical-compression cycle refrigeration system that can be reversed to either heat or cool a controlled space. Installation for this type of system typically consists of two parts: an indoor unit called an air handler and an outdoor unit similar to a central air conditioner, but referred to as a heat pump. A compressor circulates refrigerant that absorbs and releases heat as it travels between the indoor and outdoor units.
HOW DOES A HEAT PUMP WORK?
Think of a heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where its needed or not needed, depending on the season. Even in air that's seems too cold, heat energy is present. When it's cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses directions and acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from your home.
One advantage of a heat pump is that it moves heat instead of generating heat, giving you more energy efficiency. Also, it is powered by electricity, so you can save substantially on fuel consumption. For example, a Trane XL20i heat pump is among the HVAC industry’s most efficient, with a rating up to 19.00 SEER and 9.00 HSPF.
Note that heat pumps are best for moderate climates, and a supplemental heating source may be needed for lower temperatures. As a year-round solution for home comfort, Trane heat pumps can become a key part of your matched system. An independent Trane dealer can help you decide if a heat pump system is right for you. ''
https://www.trane.com/residential/en/resources/glossary/what-is-a-heat-p...
Electricity
It is the most common means for heating houses in the US. Yes, natural gas could be involved, but only at the power plants (and lines thereto)
I use gas and have no issue with it. But I do know that electricity is a way to go.
Not around here
You guys sound like you all live in Seattle - heat pump guy, at least.
Electric heat is monstrously expensive in the Northeast unless you have built a leed-certified facility or equivalent.
Heat pump? First of all, you need hot air heating or spend $$$ running ductwork. Then it won't be nearly enough for most homes, and they don't work in snow pack. It will cut your bill when it can work, but they aren't terribly efficient for this climate. The heat pump will then run "emergency heat" - an electric heater inside the unit - so it can work. Again, if you have a leed-certified building, maybe ... but I've looked into them for auxiliary heating a space without radiator heat (after I replaced the one at my mom and dad's former home in Portland, OR) and they aren't very feasible for retrofit.
Yup, rare around here
Of course, we won't go in to why electricity costs so much here, but if you had fear of gas or oil in your house and money is no object, it's there.
True, but ...
Electric heaters are known for causing fires, too ... and ductwork for distributing the problem to many rooms!
Swirls , this is the ticket,
Swirls , this is the ticket,
Rinnai EnergySaver® Direct Vent Wall Furnaces
https://www.rinnai.us/direct-vent-wall-furnace
geothermal
I think it expensive but anyone have experience with geothermal heat?
Indeed, kvn!
That is a sweet heater and pretty optimal for room-by-room control of the conditions.
Meanwhile, I got one of these on clearance for my basement bathroom, which doesn't require a lot of heating - warm towels in the morning, anyone? http://www.wayfair.com/Wall-Mount-Electric-Radiator-RWP-SB-RWP-SP-XMB106...
Heat pumps in New Hampshire
We live in New Hampshire (grew up in Lower Mills/Dorchester) and installed Mitsubishi 'mini-splits" air source heat pumps. They are very energy efficient, do not require anything more than a hole in the wall from the outside and a 4' indoor unit that's mounted up high on the interior wall. They are quiet, efficient and provide both heat and a/c. They work to 14 degrees below zero. They are installed on a pad outside the house, raised on a platform to 4'. During the many storms last winter, we only shoveled around the pad one time.
And if you have solar panels, they are a perfect fit.
W , do the math Cost
W , do the math Cost Comparison: Gas vs. Oil vs. Electricity, Part 1
http://sensiblenergy.com/home-energy-efficiency-blog/cost-comparison-gas...
Zap
Yeah, because fires are never started due to electrical short circuits or faulty wiring. That's unheard of.
thanks, Eversource!
I'm pretty sure that not being able to turn off the gas was one of the biggest reasons the Fire of 1872 did so much damage.
New invention , coming soon
New invention , coming soon to a gas pipe in your town!
Excess Flow Valves for Gas Service Lines
http://www.elster-perfection.com/en/downloads/EFV_Brochure_103008.pdf
Welcome to Eversource. If
Welcome to Eversource. If this is an emergency, please prrredsdsssxvhf he fd))gubl...zzzzzzzz
Thank you BFD!
Fire fighters never cease to amaze me, thank you!!!
EVERSOURCE
God bless EverSource. No one to come and shut off the gas. WHY?
Eversource
Eversource
843 Hyde Park Ave
Hyde Park, MA 02136
Eversource has a LOT to answer for
Eversource has a LOT to answer for here. "No one on duty" for such a severe emergency?? What the hell kind of Mickey Mouse utility company is that??
Um, the gas failure was IN the basement.
And gas meters are located OUTSIDE of buildings. Moreover, said meters have a shutoff valve next to them. Whenever I've had gas work done on my house, it is SOP for people doing the work (replacing water heaters and the like) to SHUT OFF said valve AT the gas meter before doing the work.
Now, you're really trying to tell us that, in an emergency, the fire department actually needs to wait for the gas company to show up to shut off that valve.
you are assuming...
that it was safe or appeared safe for the BFD to get near the house to shut of 'said' valve.
BTW... ease up on the use of 'said', seriously it's not necessary
said usage (TLDR: not necessary)
http://grammarist.com/usage/said/
Some places have the meters
Some places have the meters inside , curb box shutoff on sidewalk or street.Boston I would say meters are inside house. Most appliances or fixtures have their own gas shut off , when you shut down the meter you might have to relight a bunch of pilot lights throughout the house.