LYNN — Five residents are displaced after the back of a single-family home caught fire on Tuesday.
The blaze, at 15 Northern Ave., started on the porch and traveled up the exterior of the wood-framed home, making its way up to the attic and deeming the property uninhabitable, according to Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas. No one was injured and the determined cause was careless disposal of cigarettes, he said. Three adults and two children, aged 9 and 6, have called the Northern Avenue property their home for four years.
The fire was not quite a two-alarm, but a second engine was ordered for extra equipment, said Zukas. The initial 911 call came in at 3:38 p.m., he added.
“I went to Wendy’s to get food and spent the few extra minutes to eat it in my car,” said a 15 Northern Ave. resident who asked to remain anonymous. “When I finally got home I started walking toward the house and my dog began barking like crazy. I opened the door and the smoke came rushing out, I saw it was coming from the deck, and when I called 911 they told me to get out immediately. I’m so grateful my kids aren’t here, they’re on vacation.”
The blaze caused some damage to a car in the driveway of the home and scorched the siding of the house to the right of it, Zukas said. The property at 11 Northern Ave. also received exterior damage from the heat of the flames.
Jodi Deangeli said she was leaving her office job on Boston Street when she saw the porch on fire. Within seconds the whole back of the two-story home was in flames, she said.
“After that all we saw was black smoke,” Deangeli said.
The five residents will be staying with family, said Zukas. Red Cross is not assisting, he added.
“My house is gone,” said the resident. “I know it is.”
Gayla Cawley contributed to this article. She can be reached at [email protected].
