Lynn building in danger of collapse after massive, 4-alarm inferno

LYNN, Mass. — Intense flames and smoke shot from the roof of an apartment building in Lynn Monday afternoon as dozens of firefighters from several communities worked to contain the blaze, and now officials there are concerned the building could collapse.

IMAGES: Lynn building nearly obliterated after 4-alarm inferno

The apartment building on Broad Street, which has now been deemed a total loss, had 18 units inside.

The blaze broke out just before 4 p.m., and immediately proved to be challenging for firefighters.

MORE: 1 resident taken to hospital from large fire in Lynn

The building was constructed in 1860 and had a wood frame and plenty of room for the fire to spread.

And it did just that.

Firefighters also had to keep the flames from spreading to the tightly packed nearby buildings amid windy conditions.

Residents of the building said they first smelled smoke coming from the third floor, and started banging on the front door of the apartment.

Firefighters Derek Spitaleri and Bobby Lehman credit their training for saving her from the flames.

"An intense amount of heat, intense amount of smoke, she was clearly overcome by smoke inhalation and the fire was actually venting over the kitchen, over our heads as we went past the fire and into the bedroom," said Spitaleri.

With zero visibility, the two crawled on hands and knees, fighting smoke and flames to rescue her.

"As we started to search the bedroom we heard someone moaning and we found somebody in the room," said Lehman.

Lehman says they carefully dragged her out of danger to the ground floor where an ambulance took her to the hospital.

"I took my air mask off and immediately put it on the victim, and turned my purge valve on so there would be a constant flow of air," said Spitaleri.

Firefighters from neighboring communities worked to keep the flames under control, and when the roof collapsed around 8 p.m. that allowed firefighters to get to the fire easily.

Firefighters were able to salvage some items from the first and second floors, but not the third floor, where the roof collapsed. Residents came back to the building Tuesday to gather any valuables they could find.

The American Red Cross was at the scene of the fire Monday night to assist residents where are now homeless because of the fire.

Fire officials say the cause of the fire was unattended cooking.

No other injuries were reported.

Cox Media Group