Fire Destroys Lawrence House 3 Days After Owner Bought It
LAWRENCE (CBS) - A Lawrence man lost his home in a devastating fire Wednesday just three days after he bought it.
Flames broke out in the three-family home on Haverhill Street around 9:45 a.m. and quickly tore through the roof, causing it to cave in. Thick, heavy smoke engulfed the neighborhood and could be seen from miles away.
Everyone inside escaped safely.
Two firefighters were taken to the hospital, but have since been released.
Firefighters had to get out of the house because of the deteriorating conditions inside and were forced fight the fire from the outside.
"They made a valiant attempt to stop it but it just got too advanced too fast," Deputy Fire Chief Jack Meaney told reporters.
There's no word yet on a cause. The home is considered a total loss.
Mario Nunes told WBZ-TV he bought the house just three days ago. Tenants lived on the second and third floors and Nunes had planned on moving into the first floor apartment soon.
Hours after the fire broke out, the entire front side of the building fell down and collapsed onto cars parked out front on the street. No one was hurt.
"My mom comes knocking on my door and she's like 'Get out! Get out! They're telling us to get out, the house next door is burning!'" one resident told WBZ-TV.
Andres Rodriguez said contractors were working on the property Wednesday morning. His family believes that could be what started the fire.
"I was born and raised there in that house. My whole childhood, just gone," Rodriguez said.
Crews were on hand Wednesday night to demolish the building.
