Smoking material determined as cause of massive Cambridge fire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Fire investigators in Cambridge have determined the cause of a devastating fire in December to be careless disposal of smoking material.

The fire damaged 18 buildings and displaced more than 100 residents on Dec. 3, and burned for nearly the entire day.

“It was like nothing I had ever seen or imagined,” Nadia Mohammad, a woman who was forced to grab her toddler and evacuate from the fire, said.

Investigators said the fire started in recycling bins that had construction debris on the rear left side of the 35 Berkshire St. building.

Investigators said they were able to speak to witnesses, use photos and other methods to determine that subcontractors had disposed their smoking material in and around the recycling bins.

“An accident can happen, even if you're doing something stupid, an accident can happen. The next thing is someone has to stand up and take responsibility,” Ali Mohammad, a resident displaced by the fire, said.

The criminal investigation remains open but charges have not been announced up to this point.

Cox Media Group