Floors Collapse During MA Building Fire

Dozens of firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed a Peabody apartment building Christmas night.

Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the four-story building at Washington Street and Swampscott Avenue around 8 p.m. 

Three alarms were quickly struck, the Salem News reported.

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Fire Chief Steven Pasdon told the newspaper that the floors of the building collapsed, forcing firefighters to work from the exterior after 30 minutes.

The first floor of the building was occupied by a salon and six residential units were located on the upper floors. 

"The smoke kept going, and you didn't see any flames for 20 minutes," resident Carl Ramos said. "It's crazy."

A nearby building was evacuated at one point.