Watch CBS News

Couple Loses Legacy Home, Business In Massive Cambridge Fire

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- "It looks like a war zone. It really does."

"We didn't lose everything in our lives."

Joe Buswell fights back tears. He and his wife Emily lost their home in the Cambridge fire and along with it, their daycare business.

"My wife has been there for 60 years and that is our income there, too. Now we are out of household and we don't have our job anymore," Joe said.

Cambridge fire destroyed home
Joe and Emily Buswell's home in Cambridge, destroyed by Saturday's fire. (WBZ-TV)

"My whole apartment was dedicated to my daycare kids. All my children I have right now, they'll be displaced and you know, we're family," Emily added.

On Sunday, firefighters helped the Buswells retrieve some of their belongings.

"There are some heirlooms, jewelry from my wife's grandmother I would like to get. So, we'll see what will happen," Joe said.

Joe's neighbor Robert Cayman remembers running into one of the burning buildings to lend a hand.

"We went both levels and knocking on all the doors and we got out a lady, a newborn baby and dog and that was just in her apartment," Cayman said.

Sunday, the American Red Cross continued to help the dozens of people displaced.

"We're providing comfort kits and coordinating our efforts with the city of Cambridge," a Red Cross official said.

Buswell hug
Joe Buswell of Cambridge is hugged by a family friend. (WBZ-TV)

The Buswells say their home had been in the family legacy for more than 100 years.

"For this to happen is a sad reality. That's memories and pictures of my mother and father," Emily said.

Now this community comes together to embrace one another and help any way they can.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.