Fire Erupts at Kayem Meats Processing Plant in Chelsea

Chelsea, Massachusetts, October 14, 2025

News Summary

A fire broke out at the Kayem Meats processing plant in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Monday night, starting above a commercial oven. Employees evacuated the facility after reporting the flames, which Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri noted reached toward the roof. Fire crews arrived promptly and controlled the blaze within approximately 30 minutes, with no reported injuries and only minimal smoke damage. Health and building inspectors are assessing the situation to determine the fire’s cause and inspect the facility for safety.

Chelsea — A fire occurred at the Kayem Meats processing plant in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Monday night.

Incident overview

A fire occurred at the Kayem Meats processing plant in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Monday night. The fire broke out above a commercial oven at the Arlington Street facility. Employees reported the fire to authorities and evacuated the building before fire crews arrived. Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri stated that visible flames were seen above the ovens reaching towards the roof.

Immediate impact

Fire crews arrived to find that employees were already evacuating the building. No injuries were reported during the incident. Chief Quatieri expressed satisfaction that employees followed evacuation procedures and exited safely. The fire was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes, and there was minimal smoke damage reported by Chief Quatieri.

Response and resources

Firefighters from neighboring Everett responded to assist with the fire. Health and building inspectors are currently assessing the situation to determine the extent of any structural or health-related impacts. The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.

What happened first and why it matters

The fastest and most important facts are that employees observed a fire above an oven, reported it, and evacuated, and that the responding fire department brought the blaze under control quickly. The fact that no injuries were reported and that evacuation procedures were followed reduces the immediate human toll and allows inspectors to focus on assessing property and operational impacts.

Operational and community effects

Operations at the Arlington Street facility are expected to be disrupted while inspectors complete their evaluations. The presence of assistance from neighboring Everett indicates a mutual-aid response to ensure the fire was contained. Minimal smoke damage was reported, which may reduce the extent of repairs required, but official assessments by health and building inspectors will determine when and how the facility can resume normal operations.

Investigation and next steps

Health and building inspectors are currently assessing the situation. The cause of the fire was not immediately determined. Authorities will rely on those inspections, interviews with staff, and a review of equipment and maintenance records to identify the source and any contributing factors. Depending on the outcome, the facility may need repairs, additional safety measures, or a temporary closure until the building is cleared for normal use.

Community safety and guidance

Local residents and businesses near the Arlington Street facility are advised to follow any instructions from city officials and public safety personnel. Because inspectors are evaluating both health and structural conditions, nearby establishments should expect follow-up notifications if any broader impacts are identified.

Background

Kayem Meats operates processing facilities that include commercial ovens and other industrial equipment. In this incident, the fire appeared to originate above a commercial oven. Rapid reporting by on-site employees and a prompt response by Chelsea fire crews, with support from Everett firefighters, limited the duration and impact of the blaze.

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Additional Resources

• NBC Boston
• Food Manufacturing
• CBS News
• Nottingham MD
• Deli Market News
• Wikipedia: Kayem Foods
• Google Search: Kayem Meats fire
• Google Scholar: Kayem Meats
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Safety
• Google News: Kayem Meats fire

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.