Fire damages Lynn home

LYNN – A fire displaced nine people, birds, dogs, fish and a turtle at a home on Mansfield Street Monday.”Three little babies have no place to go, it’s so sad,” Pamela Cabria, a friend of the homeowner, said at the scene after fire crews had left.Lynn District Fire Chief Jack Barry said fire officials were looking at a possible accidental cause but could not elaborate further, saying the incident remained under investigation.Firefighters responded at 11:33 a.m. Monday to 12 Mansfield St., off Broadway, and arrived to find a second-floor bedroom afire, according to Barry. Firefighters were able to contain the flames to that room. But other rooms on the second floor were also affected by the blaze.”There was actually quite a bit of damage to the second floor,” Barry said. “The main body of the fire was contained to one room, but there was heat and smoke damage throughout the second floor.”The first floor sustained water damage, Barry reported, but he said firefighters were able to keep the flames from getting into the walls or attic of the home.Homeowner Stephen Sklavounos said the home was at least 100 years old and had a wooden-frame construction.Residents said three people were home at the time of the incident and all escaped unharmed. Nine people – six adults and three children – live in the house, according to resident Paul Fitzgerald.”(One) said she opened the door and the whole bedroom was on fire,” Sklavounos said.Fitzgerald said it was the third time he had experienced a fire. He said he’d had enough.Barry said crews cleared the scene at 12:33 p.m. The American Red Cross reported it was providing the residents emergency shelter at a hotel, toiletries and smoke packs, which contain a detergent that removes the smell of smoke from clothing.