Witnesses sought in Lynn fire

LYNN – Fire investigators want to speak with anyone who was inside a Lewis Street hair salon last Wednesday hours before fire destroyed the shop, four others, and apartments where 20 people lived.Investigator David Legere said initial inspections indicate the fire started accidentally, possibly after someone in the salon used an appliance or some other device.”People were seen in that small salon at 9 a.m. of the day of the fire. We want to know who was in there and what appliances they may have been using. We think it was accidental,” Legere said.Firefighters from Lynn, backed up by crews from other communities, battled freezing temperatures and heavy smoke to extinguish the four-alarm fire. The fire destroyed a large commercial and residential building at 3 Chestnut St. and an attached house converted into shops and a residence located at 219 Lewis.The fire and tons of water used to extinguish it destroyed the attached building and collapsed part of the Chestnut Street building late last Wednesday, prompting Fire Chief James Carritte and city inspectors to order the structure razed.A dog belonging to a building resident died in the fire. The tenants found temporary housing with relatives. The American Red Cross arranged for one family to stay in a Route 1 motel.Building owner Henry Nguyen was out of the country last Wednesday but investigators are coordinating their probe with the firm insuring his building.Firefighters battling the blaze complained about poor water hose pressure. Carritte on Tuesday said the fire broke out a day before he was scheduled to meet with Water and Sewer Commission chief engineer Anthony Marino about fire hydrant maintenance and water supply.Carritte said a Chestnut Street hydrant near the fire provided “poor” water volume while a hydrant on Broad Street met firefighters’ expectations.”Water supply overall was adequate but we had hydrants that were problems,” he said.He plans to meet with Water and Sewer officials to discuss hydrant volume and noted Water and Sewer regularly provides the Fire Department with a list of defective hydrants.”We have a good working relationship with Water and Sewer on this,” Carritte said.A property and casualty insurance company inspected the city’s hydrant system in February 2007 and informed Water and Sewer officials that “fire suppression services are keeping up with the demands of a changing environment.”