Residents Evacuate As Fire Rips Through Lawrence Home

LAWRENCE (CBS) – A late-night fire ripped through a Lawrence home, displacing more than a dozen people.

Flames broke out on Kendall Street just before 11 p.m. Thursday night.

The fire started the in the second floor at the rear of the building. Residents were home at the time, but everyone got out safely.

"We look out the window, to the side and we hear people screaming out, and the fire was right next to the window, so we took everybody out," neighbor Frances Montes told WBZ.

"We had very heavy fire, rolling fast, spreading over into the third floor," Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said.

Flames could be seen, tearing through the triple decker, working their way up, floor by floor, sending residents and their next-door neighbors running.

"It was a very tight neighborhood. Exposures very close together," Chief Moriarty said.

Firefighters battled both flames and limited access to water, given the tight space. But they managed to put out the fire, before it spread beyond the building.

"Crews did an excellent job today. Excellent. Really strong, strong, aggressive firefighting crews today," Chief Moriarty said.

A pet was rescued from the third floor of the building, which includes three apartments.

The fire displaced 13 residents, who are being assisted by Red Cross.

Surrounding homes were evacuated as a precaution while heavy flames shot through the roof of the home.

"It was a nasty night last night, it was a big fire," Montes said.

Workers spent Friday morning boarding up the triple-decker.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.

Flames caused $300,000 in damage.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports