A fire in a Framingham apartment hospitalized four. Officials think it was intentional

FRAMINGHAM — A fire early Monday morning at a Route 9 apartment complex appears to be arson, according to Fire Chief Michael Dutcher.

No one was injured in the two-alarm fire at the Green at 9 & 90, 1630 Worcester Road, but four residents were transported to MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham as a precaution, Dutcher said.

"We have some reason to believe it was intentionally set," he said. "It's a pretty involved investigation."

Dutcher declined to say why investigators believe the fire is arson.

Firefighters responded to the building at 3:50 a.m. after an alarm sounded. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire coming from the first-floor lobby, Dutcher said. They immediately called for a second alarm.

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Most residents remained in the building as firefighters fought the fire, Dutcher said. For those who did evacuate, the complex's management opened the community center to allow residents to get inside and stay warm.

The cold weather — temperatures were in the teens — added to the level of difficulty, as firefighters had to watch for ice forming that could lead to slipping, the chief said.

It took firefighters about 15 minutes to get the fire under control. No residents were displaced, Dutcher said.

The chief said there is heavy damage to the front lobby, and that elevators are unusable. He estimated the damage to be in the high thousands.

The fire remains under investigation by the Framingham Fire and Police departments, as well as the state Fire Marshal's Office.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-ate public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham apartment fire: four injured; chief says arson probable