LYNN — An abandoned two-story home on Summer Street with two squatters illegally living inside caught fire early Saturday morning.
Firefighters arrived at 368 Summer St., which is listed as abandoned, just before 7 a.m., according to Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas. They found two squatters, a male and a female both in their 40’s, living in the building illegally, he said. The blaze began on the second floor and extended into the roof beams.
There were no reported injuries, he said.
“This house was boarded up and should not have had anyone living in it and it will be boarded up again,” Zukas said. “It is still considered an abandoned property.”
The cause of the fire was electrical, said Zukas. Firefighters found space heaters, air conditioning units and several other electronic devices being powered by numerous extension cords, he added. Fire crews battled the blaze quickly, he said, and prevented the structure from being totally destroyed and spreading to nearby homes in the thickly settled neighborhood.
“Firefighters made a good stop and prevented the fire from spreading and causing more damage, once again because a fire station was close by,” said Zukas.
The city’s Inspectional Services Department arrived on the scene as firefighters were leaving, said Zukas.
