A fire tore through the third floor of a multifamily home on Walnut Street in Lawrence early Sunday morning, forcing 17 people out of their homes before dawn. No injuries were reported, and firefighters made sure everyone inside was evacuated.
Firefighters responding to the scene found heavy flames showing from the third floor of the building, according to the Boston Globe, which reported that the Lawrence Fire Department issued a statement on social media describing the scene. The fire escalated to three alarms, as reported by WCVB, which confirmed that all residents got out on their own and that there were no reported injuries.
WHDH reported heavy flames coming from the third floor of the multifamily home. Seventeen people were ultimately displaced, a number confirmed separately by NBC Boston.
Red Cross Steps In As Investigation Continues
The American Red Cross has stepped in to help residents find new places to stay, per the same WCVB account. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to WHDH, which also described the structure as a triple-decker scorched in the early morning blaze.
Massachusetts law gives the State Fire Marshal authority to step into local investigations under certain conditions. Per the Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit, the state marshal is mandated to investigate the cause and circumstances of a fire when local authorities are unable to determine the cause, when a violation of law exists, or when the fire is classified as suspicious or incendiary.
An Earlier Lawrence Fire
One earlier fire in Lawrence this year occurred on July 12 in the 400 block of Haverhill Street. It heavily damaged three buildings and displaced 51 residents, according to the Eagle-Tribune. That incident remains a stark reminder of how quickly fire can tear through the city's dense stock of multifamily housing.
For now, the focus in Lawrence remains on the 17 people displaced by Sunday's fire. No injuries were reported, and investigators have not yet determined what sparked the flames that sent them fleeing their Walnut Street home before sunrise.
