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This article was published 7 months ago
Gov. Maura Healey has requested federal aid for the five businesses damaged or destroyed in the Sept. 10 fire at Post Office Square in Lynnfield. (Spenser Hasak) Purchase this photo

Federal aid sought for Lynnfield businesses

Anne Marie Tobin

October 28, 2024 by Anne Marie Tobin

LYNNFIELD — Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Essex County to help those businesses destroyed by a fire at Post Office Square strip mall on Sept. 10.

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) said Monday that the “widespread destruction has resulted in a significant loss of livelihood for the business owners.

“Last month’s Post Office Square fire caused extensive damage to several local businesses, with many of them suffering a complete loss. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire,” Jones said. “With the assistance of Small Business Administration loans, these business owners will be able to start the rebuilding process and begin recovering from this devastating loss. I know the entire Lynnfield community is behind them as they seek to move on from this terrible event.” 

In an Oct. 23 letter written to SBA Director Edward Fears at the Office of Disaster Recovery & Field Operations Center East in Atlanta, Georgia, Healey noted that the six-alarm fire destroyed a strip mall occupied by five businesses, “requiring it to be torn down and rebuilt” and that “approximately 36 employees were impacted by this fire.” She said it is “estimated” to take a minimum of one year to rebuild and reopen the businesses.

“A survey of these affected businesses was conducted to determine the economic impact of their losses, for the disaster period as compared to the same period in the preceding year,” Healey wrote. “Based upon these surveys, I certify that at least five small businesses in the disaster area have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the disaster and are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms.”

The fire began sometime after 9 p.m., with firefighters responding at approximately 9:30 p.m. who found the smoke and flames coming out of the roof. The combined efforts of various fire departments stopped the fire at the Bank of America, but were unable to save the rest of the building that housed the Old Towne Market, Dunkin’, Cervizzi’s Martial Art Academy, Fitness Together and Wal’s Cleaners. Police Chief Glenn Davis said there were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters, who were on the scene working to put out the fire until around 4 a.m. the next day.

  • Anne Marie Tobin
    Anne Marie Tobin

    Anne Marie Tobin is a sports reporter for the Item and sports editor of the Lynnfield and weeklies. She also serves as the associate editor of North Shore Golf magazine. Anne Marie joined the Weekly News staff in 2014 and Essex Media Group in 2016. A seven-time Massachusetts state amateur women’s golf champion and member of the Massachusetts Golf Association Hall of Fame, Tobin is graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Suffolk University Law School. She practiced law for 30 years before becoming a sports reporter. Follow her on Twitter at: @WeeklyNewsNow.

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