Crime & Safety

A Somber Anniversary

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic office building fire at 200 Boylston St. Do you have memories or thoughts to share?

Eleven years ago today, Newton marked a tragic day in its history books.

On Feb. 9, 2000,  a fire broke out in an office building at 200 Boylston St. that took the lives of five people who worked there. 

More than a decade later, Newton Fire Lt. Tom Lopez remembers being called in after the third alarm (of five) was struck. 

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"I can remember the images of the Brookline firefighters doing CPR on people as they were bringing them down on the aerial ladders," Lopez said. 

Despite the tragedy, though, this somber anniversary reminds Lopez of the brave and skilled work done by firefighters on that tragic day.

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"You never want to see tragedy, but we did see some excellent work from firefighters that day," Lopez said. "There are people alive because of that."

Do you have memories of the tragic day on Feb. 9, 2000? Thoughts to share on what has or has not happened since the fire? Patch wants to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments below or e-mail Melanie.Graham@patch.com


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