HAVERHILL, Mass. — Multiple crews worked to extinguish a large fire that broke out at a health and fitness club in Haverhill early Wednesday morning.
Haverhill fire officials said fire alarms went off around 2 a.m. inside Cedardale Health and Fitness at 931 Boston Rd. Thick smoke could be seen for miles, and officials said that when they arrived at the scene there was heavy flames coming from inside.
Authorities immediately raised the fire from two to three alarms, and firefighters were ordered out of the building.
"The crews that made it in for an interior attack, they did a valiant effort to extinguish the fire," Haverhill fire Chief William Laliberty said. "But when (the fire) started going through the roof and materials started to fall on them, it was time to get them out of the building and take care of their safety."
Fire crews from surrounding communities assisted the Haverhill Fire Department with extinguishing the blaze, which appeared to begin inside the building that housed indoor basketball courts.
It's unknown if injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.