LYNN — Firefighters working with an animal rescue group hauled a bedraggled but otherwise healthy cat out of a Lewis Street apartment building’s burnt ruins on Monday.
Rescuers said the black and white short-haired cat will be treated at a local animal hospital while efforts begin to reunite the animal and its owner.
“The cat looks pretty healthy,” said Animal Control Officer Keith Sheppard.
The March 25 fire at 145 Lewis St. left an estimated 70 to 80 tenants homeless. Fire investigators labeled the fire arson and classified as suspicious another fire last Thursday at 15 Lyman St. that left 28 people homeless.
Sheppard said firefighters found the cat in one of six cages set up by firefighters in 145 Lewis St. Sheppard said the Fire Department agreed to check the cages once daily for any captured cats after former tenants and at least two animal rights group representatives told city officials they have spotted cats in the burnt building’s windows and on fire escapes in the week since the fire.
City inspectors declared 145 Lewis St. unsafe following the fire and the building’s owner arranged to secure its ground floor doors and windows.
People who spotted cats in the building contacted organizations like Winthrop-based Massachusetts Progressive Animal Watchdog Society, Inc. (MassPAWS).
Group president Beverly Alba said “12 to 15” cats could have been living with their owners in the building given the number of people renting in 145 Lewis.
The state Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the Lewis and Lyman street fires with Lynn fire investigators. Arson reward posters reading — “If you know who did this call 800-682-9229” — are posted on the buildings. The Lynn arson squad’s number — 599-0232 — is also on the posters.
“Investigators have no evidence to suggest the Lewis Street and Lyman Street fires are connected in any way at this point in time,” said state Department of Fire Services spokeswoman Jennifer Mieth.
District Fire Chief Steven Archer said the American Red Cross has placed tenants displaced in both fires in temporary or permanent housing. Lyman Street owner Steven Elliott said his tenants are staying with relatives or in a Revere hotel arranged by the Red Cross. He has reached out to landlords he knows to find them new apartments.
“We’ll find something for most of them,” he said.
Brian Sollosy, a representative with Perkins realty management, the firm that owns 145 Lewis, said the company found apartments for six Lewis Street tenants in other local buildings owned by Perkins. Sollosy said Perkins is “scrambling” to find apartments for other tenants and said area agencies and businesses are offering assistance to help the tenants find and furnish new homes.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
