Firefighters investigate blaze that drove smoke through North End – Boston News, Weather, Sports

BOSTON (WHDH) — Firefighters are investigating a blaze in the North End Wednesday night that was billowing smoke.

Officials said the fire started in a third-floor apartment on Block 200 of Hanover Street, above the North End restaurant Trattoria Il Panino. The restaurant had to shut down because of the fire brigade to fight the fire.

“All I heard was fire engines and police cars, one after the other, you usually hear them but not like this,” said David Nylin, a former Malden firefighter who was in the North End at the time of the fire. “I could tell by the smell, this is a house fire, this is a building fire.”

The firefighters faced some challenges as they had to work in the narrow streets of the North End.

“As you can see, the streets are narrow as they are, when the outdoor restaurant was designed it took over parking,” said Boston Fire Department Commissioner Jack Dempsy. “We would have had the cars anyway, but that certainly doesn’t help.”

There were no injuries, according to firefighters, but the apartment building has sustained some smoke and water damage.

“The buildings are so small that you don’t know if people can get out safely. I got goosebumps just watching. Everyone here knows everyone, so it’s scary,” said Amanda Sorto, who works down the street from the apartment.

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