American Legion Post in Auburn destroyed by Friday night fire

AUBURN, Mass. — An American Legion building in Auburn was destroyed when it burned to the ground on Friday night in a three-alarm fire.

The first report of the blaze came in at 7:57 p.m. on Friday, according to the town's fire rescue department. The call described the incident as a kitchen fire at the Chester P. Tuttle Post, which was located at 88 Bancroft Street in Auburn, Mass.

Crews arrived on scene four minutes later, quickly sounding a second alarm after heavy smoke was seen coming from the roof of the building. Ten minutes later, a third alarm was struck at the same time that the Incident Commander ordered the evacuation of the firefighters in the building due to deteriorating conditions.

The roof of the building collapsed shortly after the evacuation order came, according to Auburn Fire.

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No injuries were reported to any firefighters or patrons of the Post, according to Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr.

"With the amount of people in the building at the time of the fire, we are extremely lucky tonight that we did not have any serious injuries and that everyone was able to escape the building quickly," Chief Coleman said.

The chief went on to say that the fire had likely been burning unnoticed in the Post's attic and was, "well advanced" before anyone inside realized it.

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the blaze, along with the District 7 Fire Investigation Unit. The blaze is not considered to be suspicious at this time.

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Auburn Fire was assisted by units from Oxford, Millbury, Leicester, Charlton, Webster, Sturbridge and Worcester.

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