Lynn firefighters assist in Salem blaze

SALEM – Two Salem families were forced out of their home Thursday night by a two-alarm fire that ripped through the upper floors of an apartment building at 112 Loring Ave.No one was injured during the fire that was reported by neighbors just before 8 p.m. However, Salem Fire Department investigators have estimated the damage to the building to be approximately $100,000.Lynn’s Ladder Four was dispatched to assist at the scene while Lynn’s Engine One and its crew remained at Salem Fire Department headquarters to provide coverage for the rest of the city.The building is owned by retired firefighter Charles Ricker who had been doing some repairs in the vacant third-floor apartment shortly before the fire broke out.Salem Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Beadet said investigators believe an unattended work light ignited nearby wooden fixtures.”They believe it was a construction light,” said Beadet. “It’s a small light, but it’s very bright and it gets very hot.”Beadet said Ricker had left a few minutes before the fire broke out.”He was just running to Home Depot to get a few things to finish the work on the apartment,” said Beadet.Loring Avenue was shut down for more than an hour while firefighters, including crews from Marblehead and Swampscott, knocked down the blaze.Beadet said the residents were able to return on Friday and collect some of their things.Although the fire was contained to the third floor and attic, the entire building will need extensive repairs.”There was a lot of water damage,” said Beadet.