Firefighters battle blaze at triple-decker in Dorchester

Flames consumed the rear of a triple decker on Lithgow Street just outside of Codman Square in Dorchester.

The fire caught people who lived there by surprise. JoAnn Levin was working at home on the second floor and says she didn’t see or smell anything.

“Nothing, nothing. When I got out of the house is when I looked up and saw smoke coming from the roof,” said JoAnn Levin who lived on the second floor with her family.

Her 16 year old son alerted her but at first she thought he was kidding.

“I was working from home and my son ran in said there was a fire. I didn’t believe him at first because he’s always joking. He said no mom I’m not joking.  He was holding the dog so we both ran out of the house,” said JoAnn.

While they fled Vivian Fernandez, a neighbor who spotted the fire from up the street, rushed to warn other residents.

“We literally ran over and literally started ringing everybody’s bells trying to get people out. People were standing on their porches not realizing that their house was on fire. So literally yelling and screaming get out, get out,” said Vivian.

“Very grateful for her,” said JoAnn.

Firefighter’s say the flames moved fast jumping to the three family next door.

“The fire was in the rear on the 3rd floor and it spread to the next adjoining building so two buildings were involved,” said Commissioner Paul Burke of the Boston Police Department.

JoAnn’s husband Damon Levin was at work and heard his house was burning on a police scanner.

“I heard Lithgow Street fire and I said come here let me hear that again and it said my address and I immediately got my stuff and drove home,” said Damon.

Fortunately, his family, neighbors and pets are all safe.

“Everything irreplaceable is safe,” said JoAnn.

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