Firefighters battle three-alarm fire in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Firefighters battled a three-alarm fire on Walnut Street in Lawrence late Wednesday afternoon.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out around 5:30 p.m.

Cell phone video shows flames and heavy smoke pouring out of a triple decker. Nineteen residents were forced outside into the bitter cold.

“Initial reports were that people were trapped on the third floor, but everyone self evacuated," said Lawrence Deputy Fire Chief John McInnis.

Flames were confined to the third floor of the three-family building.

There was a lot of fire and red and brown and black smoke coming out at one point. I couldn’t see because it was all gray and smoky," said neighbor Luisa Jimenez.

"It really sucks especially in the winter," Jimenez said.

Firefighters could be seen using flashlights on the third floor as they battled the fire.

Later Wednesday night, sheets of ice covered large areas near the fire scene, from all the water that was used to quickly get the fire under control.

Fire investigators who sifted through the charred building believe the fire started on a back porch, and flames raced up into the ceiling area, between the third floor and roof, which made this battle labor intensive for firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Red Cross responded to assist the displaced residents.

Cox Media Group