Plumbing torch started Lawrence apartment blaze

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June 28, 2010

By Jill Harmacinski jharmacinski@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Mon Jun 28, 2010, 01:26 AM EDT

LAWRENCE — A fire investigator yesterday said "careless use of a plumbing torch" sparked the five-alarm Park Street apartment blaze Saturday night that left 50 tenants homeless, including one newborn baby and 14 other children.

Ignited by heat from the plumbing torch, the fire quickly shot "up and into the roof and took off," said Pat Ruiz, a Lawrence Fire Department inspector.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, and the plumbing torch was being used legitimately in unit 15 on the third floor of 65 Park St., Ruiz said.

No injuries were reported, but extinguishing the fire was hampered by staffing and water problems, Deputy Fire Chief John Marsh said.

Neighbors complained it took too long for firefighters to arrive and start putting out the blaze. Lawrence crews needed help from five out-of-town departments to finally extinguish the fire.

Fire officials also worry that emergency response will further erode when 32 firefighters are laid off due to budget cuts on Thursday.

The blaze, which broke out before 6:30 p.m., engulfed and collapsed the building's roof, leaving a massive, gaping hole open to the sky. Left behind were large piles of ashes, piles of scorched roof shingles, and windows blown out and boarded up after the fire. Yellow crime scene tape was wound around the doors to the apartment building.

It was unclear what, if anything, could be salvaged in the building. Tenants are scheduled to meet today with Embassy Realty Trust, the owners of the building, according to the American Red Cross.

While 50 people live there, just 28 sought help overnight Saturday from the Red Cross at a temporary shelter set up at the South Lawrence East School. The fire victims slept on cots and come daylight, many were out looking for new apartments, volunteers said.

The shelter was open again last night to help the displaced. Fire victims are provided meals along with store vouchers.

Yamaira de la Cruz, her boyfriend, and their daughter, lived in unit 15 where the fire started. Cruz said she was out having her hair done, getting ready for a birthday party she was supposed to host Saturday night, when she was told about the fire. Her daughter Keily turns 1 this week.

She came home from the salon to find firetrucks in front of her building.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I had everything ready for the party." Cruz, who has lived in the apartment for 18 months, said she was not having any problems with her shower. She did not know why work was being done there, particularly on a Saturday evening.

"I lost everything," she said.

Another tenant is a young mother with a newborn baby. The Red Cross put her in a hotel immediately, volunteers said.

Chum Lo of Andover stopped by the shelter last night to let volunteers know about a vacant, three-bedroom apartment in her son's building on Cambridge Street.

"This is what they are waiting for," said Paula Farrales, a Red Cross disaster volunteer, as she hugged Lo and tears welled in her eyes.

None of the tenants were insured for fire loss or damage. Farrales stressed the importance of such coverage, which is often low cost. The insurance pays replacement costs for material items a tenant might lose in a fire. But many tenants often don't take the insurance because they think they are covered under a landlord's plan.

"Go online and get it," Farrales said. "It's worth it."

Farrales also appealed to any landlords with vacant apartments to help the fire victims. Donations of baby toys, formula, furniture and gift cards are needed. Community activist Isabel Melendez, who has a donation site at 50 Cross St., is also working with the victims.

The American Red Cross always accepts donations. Bilingual volunteers are also needed.

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