News Summary
A wooden deck collapsed during a gathering in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, injuring nine people. Emergency services transported the injured, including one critical case, to local hospitals. The incident, captured on surveillance, prompted two investigations to determine safety compliance. Community officials are addressing the importance of safety inspections for residential structures.
Boston – A third-floor wooden deck at a residence on Harwood Street in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood collapsed late Friday night, injuring nine people. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. during a large gathering following a local soccer match, which attracted numerous attendees to the deck at the time of the accident.
Emergency responders, including Boston EMS, were dispatched to the scene and transported the injured to multiple local hospitals. Among the victims, one individual sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. The specific health status of this critically injured person was not available as of Saturday afternoon. Eight other individuals were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, including bruises and broken bones.
The moment of the collapse was captured on surveillance footage, revealing the deck giving way and several heavy objects, including a refrigerator, falling onto victims below. Boston Fire Department Chief of Operations, Rodney Marshall, noted that some injuries could have been attributed to these falling items. The deck appeared to have buckled in the center before collapsing, leaving behind a scene littered with debris such as wooden planks, beer bottles, soda cans, a cooler, and a grill.
In response to the severity of the injuries resulting from the collapse, an investigation is currently underway. Both the Boston Police Department and the city’s Inspectional Services Department are involved in examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities initiated a homicide investigation due to the critical nature of the injuries sustained by one of the victims.
City officials are also focusing on safety measures, urging private property owners to conduct inspections of their porches and decks. The property where the collapse took place is managed by a local property management company. Following the incident, the building inspector was called to assess the structural integrity of the building.
According to family members, two individuals have been released from the hospital, while one remains in a coma, and others are reported to be in critical condition. This tragic event has raised concerns among community members and local officials regarding the safety standards of residential structures, especially those that accommodate gatherings.
Boston’s Mayor, Michelle Wu, has expressed hopes for the recovery of the injured individuals and has highlighted the need for proper safety checks by property owners to prevent future accidents of this nature.
As investigations continue, the community is left to grapple with the consequences of this unexpected incident, sparking discussions on the importance of adhering to safety regulations in residential properties to protect the lives of occupants and guests.
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HERE Resources
Porch Collapse in Dorchester Leaves Nine Injured
Additional Resources
- WCVB
- Wikipedia: Porch
- NBC Boston
- Google Search: Dorchester porch collapse
- Boston 25 News
- Google Scholar: deck collapse
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safety
- WHDH
- Google News: Boston deck collapse
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.
