A blaze ripped through a multi-unit apartment building in Lynn on Saturday morning, leaving several residents without homes. The fire, which broke out at 167 Fairmount Ave., drew a quick response from both the Lynn and Saugus Fire Departments after emergency calls began flooding in around 9:43 am. The one-alarm fire escalated to a working fire as units arrived to find the upper floors engulfed in flames, according to the Lynn Fire Department's Facebook post.
Lynn's District Chief Joseph Zukas directed the firefighting operation, with a total of four engine companies and three truck companies from Lynn, and mutual aid from Saugus, racing to the scene. Residents watched as firefighters combated the blaze that had aggressively spread to the third and fourth-floor porches and into the building's attic. In a strategy to douse the spreading fire, Saugus Engine Co. 1 deployed a deck gun, while other crews worked inside the building to control the inferno from advancing further.
The concerted effort of the firefighters brought the fire under control within an hour, although their presence stretched over several hours to overhaul the charred remains. While the fire tore through two apartments and an attic section, it caused smoke and water damage throughout the building, resulting in a temporary yet indefinite displacement of several residents. One firefighter sustained a minor injury during the incident, but no civilian injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Lynn Fire Investigation Unit.
The timely action of the firefighters kept the fire from evolving into a potential catastrophe. Being a weekend and residents being at home allowed for a swift emergency response. "Due to the location of the fire and its ability to extend up the exterior porches into the attic, it had the potential to become a much more serious situation," cited a statement on the department’s Facebook page. With occupancy prevented by damage to the building's electrical service, it is unclear when denizens may return to their homes.
