North End Fire Leaves 2 Dead, 12 Homeless

BOSTON, MA — Boston's first fire fatalities of the year came a day before Thanksgiving in a three-alarm fire in the North End. Two died and 12 lost their homes in a overnight Hanover St. blaze that burned early Wednesday morning. Investigators determined the careless disposal of a cigarette sparked the flames.

One man had jumped from the burning five-story building at 282 Hanover St., later dying at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Boston Globe identified the victim as 33-year-old Hamilton native Peter W. Smith.

Another man was found dead inside the building, the Boston Fire Department said. The Globe identified that victim as a disabled man known around the neighborhood as Matt.

Three others were hospitalized for what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The first floor of the building are occupied by Trattoria Il Panino, Connah Store and Ristorante Saraceno, according to reports. Trattoria Il Panino used to be Caffe Pompei. The top four floors are apartments.

The fire caused an estimated $1.5 million of damage and displaced a dozen, Boston fire officials said.

The Boston Fire Department responded to the tightly packed historic neighborhood around 1 a.m. The heavy flames were knocked down shortly before 2 a.m.

Photo via Boston Fire Department