Firefighters rush to put out burning triple decker in Lynn

Firefighters in Lynn worked throughout the evening into the night on Wednesday to put out a massive fire at a Lynn triple-decker home.

The fire, which started while residents were still inside, spread to a second and almost a third building because of issues with the water pressure from the fire hydrants.

“It was huge because the house right next to us, it was burning down and then I went to my house,” said Glenny Nunez. “It started on the second floor and went to the third floor.”

Nunez says she was down the street when the fire started - so were the firefighters. They were heading back to the station from another call at around 7 p.m. when they saw the heavy smoke on the intersection of Boston and Moulton streets.

“My son was playing video games in his room and I was in my room and he called us,” said Wally Florencio. “He saw the flame on the next house and he called us, ‘Fire, fire.’”

Florencio and his family were still inside their home, which caught fire after the blaze at the original address spread.

All residents were able to get out of the house safely. Once firefighters realized everyone was out, they had to get out themselves because the flames were moving way too quickly through the building and the ones next to it.

“We had some water problems initially, there are some good hydrants but we had some struggles initially with the water pressure,” said Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer. “The game plan is to get as much water on possible so any delay allows the fire to spread.”

The Red Cross was on scene ready to help the displaced families.

“I don’t really know how to feel because if my child was there I don’t know what I would do,” said Nunez.

Firefighters said they were able to hold most of the damage to two buildings and at this point, the third home just has some heat damage. Fire crews remained on scene late into the night putting out remaining hot spots.

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