Families of firefighters killed by a massive nine-alarm blaze at a Beacon Street brownstone officials say was sparked by welders should have the law on their side if they sue in civil court, but criminal charges will be harder to come by, according to legal experts.

“I can see many, many angles to liability in this situation,” said Doug Sheff, president of the Massachusetts Bar Association.

“You definitely have a negligence case here, but it’s also a wrongful death case, and in Massachusetts you can get punitive damages.”