Fire rips through apartment building

December 24, 2007 01:25 pm

— LAWRENCE | Heavy black smoke could be seen from miles away today as a three-alarm blaze broke out today on the top floor of an apartment house at 36 Fairmont St.
The roof in the rear of the building collapsed just after 1 p.m., and all firefighters were immediately ordered out of the building. They continued fighting the blaze from outside.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Lawrence Deputy fire Chief James Moffat immediately called for more firefighters when he arrived at the building about 12:30 p.m. The fire appears to have started in the rear of a third-floor apartment.
Smoke from the apartment fire could be seen from as far as Route 114, which is about 3 miles away. Fairmont Street runs parallel to the Central Catholic High School parking lot on Hampshire Street. About 30 people gathered as firefighters worked to control the fire. Paramedics stood by.
Firefighters from North Andover and Methuen responded both to the fire and helped cover city stations while Lawrence crews were busy at the fire.
It's unclear how many people were living in the yellow triple decker, which is owned by Arina and Eugene Finkelstein, according to the Essex County Registry of Deeds.

Please watch The Eagle-Tribune Web site for updates on this developing story.