NAHANT — A fire broke out in Nahant on Thursday night leaving two trapped inside and the home uninhabitable.
Firefighters responded to a single story house at 8 Maple Ave. at 11:53 a.m. where residents were reported to be trapped inside the building.
Nahant firefighters and mutual aid from surrounding communities reported to the scene, where they found an adult man sitting in a wheelchair trapped in the bathroom.
Officer Gino Spelta of Nahant entered the bathroom by breaking a window, as heavy fire was reported coming from the attic.
Nahant Firefighters Frank Pappalardo and Matthew Canty from Engine 31 forced entry through the front door, carrying a hose line to the bathroom, where the group of first responders carried the resident out the front door.
The police officers carried the man to an ambulance.
Canty then resumed fighting the fire inside the building as Pappalardo moved forward into the home to search for anyone else who may be trapped inside.
Pappalardo found a woman, identified as a resident, trapped in the kitchen on the floor.
He and Canty picked up the woman and carried her outside to another ambulance.
Both residents were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.
Firefighters from Lynn, Swampscott and Marblehead responded to provide mutual aid.
“The fire units worked hard in a densely populated neighborhood with a narrow street to efficiently establish a water supply and evacuation route for ambulances,” Nahant fire said.
One firefighter was injured when pieces of ceiling fell onto a group of firefighters and he was treated at the scene, refusing transport and returning to fighting the fire.
Assistance was also received from Atlantic Ambulance and Rehab 5 which provided water, lighting and other aid to first responders.
“This would have been a worse tragedy if not for the quick action by Nahant Firefighters and Nahant Police to locate and remove two residents,” said Chief Austin Antrim. “Power strips and extension cords offer convenience, but they aren’t intended for constant use. Powering many devices at once can overload and overheat them, causing an electrical fire. Always use a cord that’s rated for the wattage of whatever you’re powering, and if you’re using an extension cord outdoors be sure it’s marked for outdoor use.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nahant Fire Department and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Investigators determined that it began in the front left corner of the living room, where numerous power strips, extension cords, and electrical devices were observed.
This was the second serious fire in less than a week in Nahant.
Firefighters responded to 41 Wharf St. at 3:51 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 for a report of a building fire.
Upon arrival at the two story residential home, firefighters had heavy fire and visible damage to the structure.
The home was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported. The cause of the first fire has been ruled accidental.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected]
