Methuen apartment building heavily damaged after large fire

METHUEN, Mass. — A Methuen apartment building was heavily damaged after flames tore through several units Thursday.

The fire broke out on Ashton Place at an apartment building with more than 30 units. Dozens of people were left without a place to stay, right before the holidays.

Firefighters had been working inside the building, but were forced out after one firefighter’s leg went through the floor and the visibility became too low.

The firefighter whose leg went through the floor called "Mayday" out on his radio. Fellow firefighters were able to rescue their trapped brother, who wasn't hurt. The fire department reports that everybody made it out of the fire alive and is accounted for.

Methuen's mayor said that the Red Cross and Emergency Management set up an emergency shelter for displaced residents at the Timothy Grammar School.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group