Winthrop Fire Department Responds to Explosion in Residential Building

Chief Paul Flanagan reports that the Winthrop Fire Department responded to an explosion in a multi-unit dwelling.

At 10:56 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 12, Winthrop Fire dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting an explosion at 5 Irwin St. Upon arrival first responders found exterior damage to a basement door. Once inside the building, they discovered there had been an explosion in the laundry in the basement.

Winthrop first responders treated a 57-year-old woman who had been burned severely in the explosion. The woman was later transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.

The explosion caused damage on all floors. The Fire Department and Building Commissioner consider the building uninhabitable, due to both the damage and compromised safety devices such as smoke alarms.

Twenty-eight residents from the 14 units have been relocated to area hotels.

The Winthrop Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney Crime Prevention and Control (CPAC) Unit.

The American Red Cross was instrumental in assisting displaced residents with relocation. The Town also has received an offer of assistance from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency during the weekend, if needed.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Winthrop Fire Department and the state Fire Marshall’s Office.