LAWRENCE, MA — Firefighters battled a 3-alarm blaze Saturday afternoon in a three-story building located at 268 Lawrence St.
Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said firefighters responded about 2:15 p.m. to a building with heavy flames blowing out the third floor wooden porch of the wood-frame building. The building contains four apartments with two businesses on the first floor — La Casa de los CD’s and J.A.Y.A Multiplex Services.
At the time of the fire, Moriarty said the businesses were open and there was power to the building. He said there were no injuries, and occupants fled the building before firefighters’ arrival.
The three-alarm fire resulted in a roof collapse among others, and severe heat damage, said Moriarty.
In addition to the weather challenge of hail, during the battle, and an illegally parked car blocking the nearest fire hydrant. Moriarty said companies did what was necessary to get water flowing, which meant breaking the car’s windows and running the hose through the car.
“He was blocking our water, and we needed water bad,” said Moriarty.
Police Chief Roy Vasque said the driver of the car that blocked the hydrant received a $100 ticket.
Mutual aid from Lowell, Dracut and Andover were on scene to assist.
Moriarty said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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