A severe fire erupted at a Haverhill, Massachusetts apartment building on Sunday evening, necessitating daring rescues by local firefighters. According to NBC Boston, the blaze began around 8 p.m. at a 3-story structure on Forest Acres Drive in the city's Bradford area.
Upon arrival, firefighters evacuated about a dozen residents, with seven or eight rescued via ladders, Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien told NBC Boston. A few minor injuries were reported, and two people were taken to local hospitals. One woman was found on the grass after falling about 8 feet from her balcony but was in good condition.
The cause of the fire is under scrutiny, with fire department officials stating that it seems to have originated in a kitchen on the second floor. Their timely effort limited the inferno to just the starting unit. O'Brien praised the Haverhill firefighters for their swift action and credited working smoke alarms for the successful rescue operations. "This call had the potential for serious injury or worse," O'Brien told NBC Boston.
WHDH reported that a helium tank may have exploded inside the building, forcing residents to flee. Several reportedly jumped from balconies to escape the flames. "I felt like I was in a movie scene," resident Josh Luciano.
In the aftermath, the majority of the building's units remain habitable, except for 10 that were affected by the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced. The investigation into the exact circumstances leading up to the fire and the alleged explosion is ongoing by the fire department.
