Massive fire at Springfield industrial building

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A massive fire at a Springfield industrial building is under control, but not before one firefighter had to be taken to the hospital. Some buildings surrounding the fire were evacuated due to concerns about fumes.

PHOTOS: Industrial fire in Springfield

Aide to the Fire Commissioner Dennis Leger told 22News that the building is the former HBA Cast Product building at 262 Liberty Street.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion while trying to put out the flames, Springfield Deputy Fire Chief Jerrold Prendergast said. Other firefighters were treated at the site of the fire by EMT's.

Prendergast told 22News that there are chemicals being stored inside the building, and firefighters are not totally sure of their nature.

“We’re not entirely sure what’s inside the building. It’s an old building, probably some mill-type construction, so when those types of items get going- heavy black smoke, the tar, and like I said, we really don’t know what else,” he said.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is in the area to ensure there is no danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

At one point, flames could be seen coming out of the roof, and a large amount of smoke can be seen shooting into the sky, and can be seen from Interstates 91 and 291 when the fire started around 9:15 A.M. Large plumes of smoke were visible until around noon time.

There is no word at this time on the cause of the fire. Leger says that the building once was being used as an illegal rooming house, which was shut down in early June.

Back then, Leger said that chemicals and flammable liquids were found inside the building, and that the roof of the building was also missing some support beams. He said they were working with code enforcement and the state Department of Environmental Protection to get the building condemned.

Mayor Domenic Sarno told 22News that they had gone to court with the owner of the building, who is out of Connecticut.

On Friday, Leger said that the building is marked with a red "X", which is used to indicate to firefighters not to go inside. Instead, firefighters sprayed water on the building from ladder trucks.

Police have closed several intersections in the area:

• Liberty & Franklin Streets, as well as all of Franklin St.
• Vinton Street
• Murray Hill and Liberty Street
• Franklin and Nursery Street

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