Nine-Alarm Fire in Chelsea Halts School Operations

A massive nine-alarm fire severely damaged an abandoned warehouse in Chelsea, Massachusetts, leading to the closure of four elementary schools on Monday. The fire erupted shortly after midnight at the site of a failed redevelopment project on Forbes Street, requiring hundreds of firefighters from Chelsea and nearby communities to control. No injuries have been reported, but the blaze caused major disruptions, including severe delays on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line. Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri mentioned that the building had been under regular inspection due to its disrepair, and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the state Fire Marshal's office. The fire resulted in street closures around the site, and the city has prioritized safety and restricted access to the impacted school areas. The damaged property had been for sale for $30 million, with redevelopment plans previously approved.