Three Displaced by Morning Fire on Mass Ave
Three South End residents are displaced after a small fire broke out in a 2nd floor apartment on Massachusetts Ave. in the South End on Wednesday morning, according to the Boston Fire Department. The fire started around 9:40 a.m. inside a unit at 528 Massachusetts Ave. Spokesperson Stephen McDonald said no one was home at the time, and no one was injured. Damage to the apartment was estimated at $ 100,000 due to the fire, smoke, and extensive water damage on the 2nd floor where the fire started, down to the first floor and basement. The American Red Cross said this afternoon they assisted three people from two units that were displaced by the fire. “Volunteers provided them emergency temporary shelter, a hotel stay, and funds for food and clothing,” said spokesperson Ashley Studley in a statement. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said McDonald. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Offices Offering Space for Displaced Businesses
Boston officials are continuing to reach out to hundreds of Back Bay businesses affected by the marathon tragedy, trying to get those stores, offices and streets, back up and running. On Tuesday, a temporary Business Assistance Center was set up at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel lobby for city officials to respond to any business, employee, or vendor inquiry. The temporary satellite office was to be open on Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Businesses needing workspace can turn to Coworking Opens Doors – a list of Boston, and Boston-area offices offering to host displaced businesses. “The community of coworking spaces in Boston is deeply saddened by the tragic events at the 2013 Boston Marathon,” said a post on Coworking Opens Doors’s website. “To help people get back on their feet, we’re opening our doors to those affected. If you or your business was impacted by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, the following spaces will host you, for no charge.” Businesses were asked to contact individual spaces listed on the site. The Boston Chamber of Commerce is instructing people who want to help businesses to give to the One Fund for Boston, set up by the city and state to help those most affected by the bombings. Officials from the Inspectional Services Department, Boston Redevelopment Authority, and Department of Neighborhood Development are on hand at the temporary business assistance center to issue building permits, respond to questions about reopening, required inspections, and other additional business services. Also a dedicated business representative will be reachable at the Mayor’s Hotline at 617-635-4500. The Department of Neighborhood Development is also Tweeting about business assistance using the hashtag #marathonbizhelp. South End Patch