LYNN — A three-alarm fire in the kitchen of a house on Baltimore Street has left six people displaced after the Lynn Fire Department battled the blaze on Thursday night, with the roof of the structure having caved in and collapsed on itself.
There were no injuries to those who were displaced from the fire.
Fire Lt. Dennis Ring said that investigation is still currently underway to determine the cause of the fire. The fire will remain under investigation by the Lynn Fire Investigation Unit, Lynn Police, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Initial response was Engine Co. 5, Engine Co. 1, Engine Co. 3, Ladder Co. 1, Ladder Co. 2, C-4, and H-1.
While en route to the fire, Engine Co. 5 Lt. Davis reported heavy smoke showing from Broad Street a block away. Davis arrived and reported fire showing from the front and left sides of the building and ordered the working fire, before bringing Ladder. Co 4 and Medic Co. 1 to help out.
Ladder Co. 1 Lt. Stanley struck the second alarm after arriving beyond Engine Co. 5, as the rear exterior of the building was well involved on all floors, according to the Lynn Fire Department.
According to a press release, Engine Co. 3 and Ladder Co. 2 took up positions on Audubon Park, a dead-end street on the right side of the building. C-4 arrived, and District Chief McBride was now in incident command. Engine Co. 3 quickly utilized their deck gun into operation to knock down the exterior fire.
Engine Co. 1 secured a water supply, and Engine Co. 5 started to stretch big lines (hoses) to the front and rear of the building.
Second-alarm companies were Engine Co. 10, Engine Co. 7, and Engine Co. 9, the press release noted. As they arrived to help, crews started to enter the building to perform an interior attack and search on all floors. Five engine companies and three ladder companies worked on the interior of the building for more than an hour, opening walls and chasing the advancing fire.
It was reported during the blaze that there were heavy heat conditions with fire in the walls throughout the left and back sides of the building. Additional companies were requested for both water supply and manpower while crews were starting to be depleted.
At approximately 7:17 p.m., as companies were swapping out, a rapid fire event occurred, and within one minute, the entire third floor was heavily involved in fire. District Chief McBride ordered everyone out of the building, and an accountability check was performed.
All together, seven handlines (roughly 1,400 feet of hose) and four master streams were utilized throughout the fire. Hydrants were accessed from over 2,000 feet away from separate mains to secure constant water. It was reported that companies worked for approximately 4 hours before the fire was deemed under control.
The building was a large 2 1/2 story wood-framed Victorian home built in 1880. The half story on the third floor was originally utilized for servants’ quarters when it was built. It was a balloon-frame wooden structure, which allowed open access in the walls from the basement to the attic with no fire stops in between.
The Red Cross was on scene to assist as needed. Atlantic EMS responded with both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, as well as a rehab unit.
The all-out on box 434 was sounded at 12:17 a.m. Engine Co. 5 and Tower Co. 4 remained on scene, and a fire watch was put in place for the remainder of the night.
The fire will remain under investigation by the Lynn Fire Investigation Unit, Lynn Police, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“The humidity from the rain that just happened took a toll on the crews — they worked extremely hard,” Ring said. “Between that and the advancing fire prior to their arrival, they took a good beating, but luckily, there were no injuries.”
