LYNN — Firefighters battled a two-alarm Birch Street fire early Thursday morning, rescuing two residents from the roof of the East Lynn home.
The woman and man, described by Fire Chief Stephen Archer as in their early 20s, did not require medical attention although Archer said the man was initially evaluated for smoke inhalation. He said the pair climbed onto 65-67 Birch St.’s third-floor roof and onto an overhang above the second floor when the fire started shortly before 4 a.m.
Firefighters propped a ladder against the building and brought the woman to safety and the man was helped down a stairway.
“There was fire showing in the rear of the building and the building was charged with smoke. Our guys did a fantastic job, just tremendous, under really difficult circumstances making the rescue and ensuring all other residents were out of the building,” Archer said.
Investigators ruled the fire accidental and likely caused by careless smoking, Archer said.
He said a total of nine people, including a child, were accounted for and safe with American Red Cross personnel assisting them with short-term needs and shelter. Archer said a firefighter was transported to Salem Hospital for evaluation, treated for “unspecified symptoms.”
Firefighters converged on the East Lynn street between Chatham Street and Eastern Avenue at 3:56 a.m. Archer said the two-and-a-half story house sustained extensive damage.
“It appears the fire started somewhere near the rear of the building,” Archer said.
The house is located near the intersection of Clinton, Jackson and Birch streets two blocks from the Hood School. Smoke awoke Camille Micciche in her home next to 65-67 Birch.
“I smelled smoke and thought it was around the corner. Then I said, ‘Uh oh.’ All I could do is pray it didn’t hit the house,” she said.
Margie Sabbio lives a block from the fire scene and said she looked out her window before dawn to see fire engulfing the back of the Birch Street home. Her son, Paul, ran out of the house in time to see firefighters rescue the residents.
City assessing records list Daniel Reinoso, a Florida resident, as the residence’s owner. The property’s 2019 assessment is $275,000.
