Arson deemed cause of massive blaze that destroyed luxury apartment complex in Waltham
Updated on August 10, 2017
By Michelle Williams
Michelle.Williams@masslive.com
The 10-alarm fire that destroyed a luxury apartment complex under construction in Waltham last month has been deemed arson, officials announced Thursday.
"This was a significant event statewide, a fire of this magnitude," Waltham Fire Chief Paul Ciccone said. "This had a ripple effect and it stripped many communities of its fire services locally."
A fire sparked July 23 at the construction site where 264 units of luxury apartments were being built on the southern side of the Charles River. The project was about 60 percent completed.
Major fire burns down luxury apartment complex in Waltham
A 264-unit apartment complex in the works in Waltham has been halted following a large fire at the construction site. A 264-unit apartment complex in the works in Waltham has been halted following a large fire at the construction site.
Fire departments from more than a dozen communities across the greater Boston area were called to help suppress the flames. Four firefighters were injured in the blaze.
The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and several patrols were called to help evacuate nearby buildings and control traffic.
Officials announced Thursday that up to $5,000 is being offered through the Arson Watch Reward Program as a reward for information leading to an arrest in the fire.
The developer has offered an additional $100,000 reward to tipsters upon the arrest and conviction of the arsonist(s) involved.