Malden 3

MALDEN, MA — Unsafe use of an extension cord was to blame for a three-alarm fire on Monday that injured two firefighters and displaced nine Malden residents, according to investigators.

The fire burned in a multifamily home on John Street Monday night. It started, according to Malden Fire Chief William Sullivan, when an indoor extension cord that had been run through a window along the outside of the home ignited the building’s exterior.

Sullivan and state Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey on Tuesday said in a joint statement that firefighters responded to John Street shortly after 8:30 p.m. Monday to find smoke and flames coming from a building in the area.

Crews called for additional aid, officials said, as they battled flames burning primarily on the upper floors of the building.

Two firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the fire response, officials said. Residents in the impacted building at the time of this fire were all able to escape without injury, officials continued.

“We’re extremely relieved that the two injured firefighters are recovering and that none of the residents were hurt or worse,” Sullivan said on Tuesday.

Crews from Everett, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Revere, Saugus and Somerville all responded to the fire scene in Malden on Monday.

Other agencies including Boston Sparks A10 — a rehab service — also responded alongside EMS crews, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, officials said.

The Red Cross was assisting displaced residents as of Tuesday.

The Malden Fire Department worked with state fire investigators to ultimately determine the cause of this fire this week, according to Tuesday’s statement.

In announcing their findings, officials reiterated warnings about fire safety and electrical fire prevention.

Among tips, Sullivan said anyone using an extension cord outside should ensure that the cord is rated for outdoor use. Outdoor cords should also be kept away from water, snow and ice, Sullivan said.

“Many of these fires start with extension cords and power strips that are damaged, overloaded, or improperly used,” Ostroskey added. “Always be sure that these items are free of damage and rated for their intended use.”

Individuals should never connect one extension cord or power strip to another such cord or strip, Ostroskey said. Individuals should also avoid plugging any heavy appliances into an extension cord or power strip, instead plugging these appliances directly into a wall outlet.

Both firefighters injured on Monday night were at home recovering as of Tuesday afternoon, Sullivan said in a tweet.

The building on John Street that was the site of Monday’s fire was seen largely boarded up later Tuesday afternoon.

Electrical fire warnings this week come a matter of weeks after officials said a separate electrical fire on Dec. 8 killed two pets in Barnstable.

That fire, according to the Ostroskey and local Fire Chief Michael Winn, appeared to stem from an overloaded power strip in a bedroom.

Officials said earlier this month that Massachusetts fire departments responded to more than 600 building fires linked to electrical events in 2021, with four deaths, 85 injuries and estimated losses around $40 million.