LYNN — Ten people were left homeless after a two-alarm fire destroyed a triple decker home on Seymour Avenue Friday morning, Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer said.
Firefighters responded to the East Lynn neighborhood shortly before 9 a.m. and quickly struck a second alarm after seeing heavy fire and smoke coming from the apartment building at 11 Seymour Ave., Archer said.
Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas said the Fire Department had received an emergency 911 call for a building fire at 11 Seymour Ave., Apt. 1, but investigators have determined that the fire started in the second floor kitchen. The fire spread upwards, with flames quickly shooting through the roof of the building.
Zukas said a firefighter sustained an injury and was transported to Salem Hospital with minor injuries. No other injuries have been reported and all residents were able to evacuate the wood-framed building before firefighters arrived, Archer added.
Three different families lived in the home — four adults lived on the first floor, three adults lived on the second floor, and another three adults lived on the third floor, Archer said.
“Red Cross was on scene to provide housing assistance because we expect the building (will be declared) a total loss,” said Archer. “It was a very stubborn fire to fight.”
By 11 a.m., responding firefighters were still working to extinguish hot spots and remained on scene well into the afternoon, Archer said.
Archer said firefighters had trouble opening walls to gain access to the building, and the hazardous nature of the fire led to District Chief Dan Sullivan’s decision to pull crews out of the home and switch to an exterior attack.
The Lynn Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine the cause of the fire, Archer said.
Neil Williams, 46, who lives a few houses down on Seymour Avenue, said he saw smoke wafting by his home. By the time he stepped outside, two fire trucks had already arrived.
“I just hope everyone is all right,” he said.
