Fast-Moving Fire Destroys Two Buildings In Gardner
GARDNER (CBS) - A fire on Sherman Street in Gardner reached six alarms on Tuesday afternoon. The Fire Marshal's office is investigating it as suspicious.
A vacant warehouse caught fire and the fire spread to a vacant apartment building. The buildings then collapsed.
Raw Video: Building Collapses
The fire attracted a large crowd of onlookers taking pictures and video. They gathered on the hill above. The group did self-evacuate three times when the smoke became to thick.
Firefighters were concerned about keeping the fire away from the adjacent corrugated box factory and nearby homes. Several residents along Sherman Street were evacuated. Once the fire was out, they were allowed back home following an air quality check.
The fire chief said fortunately there was not a lot of wind. They were concerned about the heat. No firefighters were injured.
Tuesday night, crews demolished what was left of the buildings. Only one house, directly next to the work, remained evacuated.
