City escapes ’09 with no fire deaths

Officials credit staffing, safety programs

Herberth Portillo, 20, a resident at 125 Princeton St. where a 4-alarm fire caused major damage to a entire triple decker on Saturday Jan. 9.

(Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) Herberth Portillo, 20, a resident at 125 Princeton St. where a 4-alarm fire caused major damage to a entire triple decker on Saturday Jan. 9.

By John R. Ellement

Globe Staff / January 13, 2010

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Last year, for the first time in at least 37 years, no one was killed by fire in Boston, a historic accomplishment for the Boston Fire Department whose leaders yesterday credited increased public awareness and “boots on the street’’ for the success. (Full article: 768 words)